TITLE:
Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects of Severe Acute Malnourished Children from 6 to 59 Months Hospitalized in a Secondary Hospital in Mali
AUTHORS:
Mariam Maiga, Hibrahima Diallo, Tati Simaga, Mariam Traore, Alou Samake, Mamadou Diallo, Moussa Konate, Mamadou Keita, Mamadou Traore, Djibril Kassogue, Oumou Kone, Fatoumata Dicko, Hawa G Diall
KEYWORDS:
Severe Acute Malnutrition, Children, Hospitalized, Mali
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.13 No.1,
January
16,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Malnutrition acts on the immune system and thus increases susceptibility
to infections. Infections can weaken the body and cause malnutrition, so we
speak of a vicious circle between malnutrition and infection. Objective: To study the clinical and epidemiological aspects of severe acute malnutrition
in children aged 6 to 59
months. Methodology: This was a prospective and descriptive study
extending from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. All severely acute malnourished children aged 6 to 59 months were hospitalized at URENI whose parents or careers
accepted their participation in the study. Results: Severe acute
malnutrition was diagnosed in 398 of the 671 hospitalized children, i.e. 59.3%. The median age was 15.33
months (2 months - 59 months). The sex ratio was 1.03 (M = 50.8 F = 49.2).
Eighty-seven percent of mothers were housewives. Parents were
uneducated in 49.3% for mothers and 51.8% for fathers. Marasmus represented
93.5% of cases, children diagnosed with HIV+ represented 6.3% with exclusively
HIV1 (100%). Pneumopathy was most frequently associated pathology with 33.4%. The duration of
hospitalization was less than 7 days in 67.6% of cases and 93.3% of children
had been successfully treated. The mortality rate was 4%. Conclusion: Malnutrition still remains a public health problem affecting mainly children
aged 13 to 24 months, mainly from low-income families.