Ganga S. Pilli
Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, India
Title: Socio-demographic profile and feeding practices in children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM)-A nutrition rehabilitation centre study from North Karnataka, India
Biography
Biography: Ganga S. Pilli
Abstract
Aims and Objectives: To study the Socio-demographic profile and feeding practices in children with Acute severe malnutrition admitted in Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) of a Tertiary Care Hospital in North Karnataka.
Background: India is one amongst the countries with an unacceptably high prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) among all the developing countries. SAM is a major public health issue, which affects 7.5% of under five children in India. Hence, this study was undertaken to know the contributory factors in clinical profile that can help to plan for proper management strategy.
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional observation study was carried out in NRC attached to Dept of Paediatrics of a tertiary care hospital, Belagavi, Karnataka from September 2017 to March 2018. Children aged between 6-60 months with SAM were evaluated for Socio-demographic profile and feeding practices. Data was analysed by SPSS and results were tabulated.
Results: One hundred children with SAM were included in the study. Male (60%) children suffered more than the female (40%) children. Majority of the children were in the age range of 6 to 24 months. About 65% of the mothers were of younger age (18 to 27 years), followed by 24% mothers in the age range of 28 to 32 years. Most of the mothers belonged to class IV and Class V socio- economic status. Marasmus was commonest type of malnutrition. History of delayed weaning was noted in 38% of the children. Average age at weaning was 7.5months. Majority of the children did not receive appropriate complementary feeds.
Conclusions: Prolonged breastfeeding more than 6 months, insufficient complementary feeds, younger age and low socio-economic status of the mothers contributes to SAM cases.