Evaluation of Malnutrition in Children Admitted in Nutritional Rehabilitation Home of Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences- A Retrospective Cross-sectional Hospital Based Study

Abstract

Introduction: The burden of malnutrition is of significant concern in Nepal. The objectives of this study are to classify the nutritional status in children admitted in nutritional rehabilitation home of Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences and to relate the demographic characteristics and the effectiveness of the nutritional intervention measures on status of malnutrition which can help in the policy formulation to tackle the burden of malnutrition.

Materials and Methods: This is a hospital based retrospective study in which total of 238 children with malnutrition admitted in nutritional rehabilitation home of Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences during July 2014 to July 2018 were followed. The socio-demographic factors and nutritional status were analyzed at admission and at discharge using the available record. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16.

Results: Out of 238 malnourished children, 167(70.2%) were cases of moderate acute malnutrition and 76(29.8%) were cases of severe acute malnutrition. The mean weight at admission was 7.18±1.73 kg, mean weight at discharge was 7.82±1.82 kg and mean weight increased after nutritional intervention was 0.62 kg±0.40. The average weight gain in severe acute malnutrition was 4.7gm/kg/day. A statistically significant difference was obtained between mean weight (p=0.00, t= - 24.62) of children at admission and discharge. There was significant statistical difference between mean weight gain (p<0.05, t= -3.1) in severe acute malnutrition (0.76±0.49 kg) and in moderate acute malnutrition (0.59±0.34 kg).

Conclusion: Nutritional rehabilitation homes are effective in improving the nutritional status of undernourished children, more effective in severe acute malnutrition. However it is important to reassess the management protocol to meet the intake targets so that the rate of weight gain is improved.