PATTERN OF CO-MORBIDITIES IN CHILDREN WITH SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION ADMITTED IN MTC AT M.G. HOSPITAL BHILWARA, RAJASTHAN

Background: A round the globe nearly 20 million children below the age of five, having Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and contributing to one million deaths every year in this age group. To study the pattern of co-morbidities in children having Severe Acute Malnutrition in MTC attached to a teaching hospital. Methods: This prospective study was carried out in the MTC attached to Department of Pediatrics, M.G. Hospital Bhilwara, Rajasthan. All children between One to sixty months of age with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) admitted in the Malnutrition Treatment Centre were included. WHO criteria were followed for diagnosis and need for admissions in children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Results: Out of 200 children having SAM 55.00% children were having one co-morbidity, 27.00% were having two co-morbidity and 10.00% were having more than two co-morbidty. Conclusions: It is imperative to suspect and anticipate co-morbid condition in these children. High index of suspicion for these co-morbidities is the key to reduce mortality and better outcome in children having acute severe malnutrition. Keywords: sever acute malnutrition (SAM), malnutrition treatment corner (MTC), co-morbidity