Complimentary feeding practices in severe acute malnutrition children admitted in malnutrition treatment centre of RNT medical college

Background: To assess the complimentary feeding practice in Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) children aged between 6months to 5years. Methods:  110 SAM children admitted in Malnutrition Treatment Centre (MTC) of MBGH Hospital, Udaipur over a period of 3 months were taken in the study. Structured questionnaire including child’s personal data, socioeconomic status of the family, breast feeding and complementary feeding status were used. Clinical and anthropometric assessment of children was done. Results: Out of the 110 children included in the study, 58 (52.7%) were males and 52 (47.2%) were females. Mean age of children included was 16.8 ± 10.73 months. Maximum children were in the age group of 6-12months 60 (54.5%), followed by 13-24 months of age 38 (34.5%), followed by >2-5years of age 12 (10.9%). Thirty-four (30.9%) children were on exclusive breast feeding, with 30 (27.3%) in age group of 6-12 months and 4 (3.6%) in 12- 24 months. Breast feeding with complimentary feeding was practiced in 30 (27.3%) children of 6-12 months of age and 22 (20%) children of 13-24 months. Out of the 76 children on additional feed with or without breast feeds, 70 (92.1%) consumed milk- either goat milk, cow milk or buffalo milk. Conclusions:  Anthropometric assessment revealed that maximum number of SAM children also had chronic malnutrition. Diet of SAM children mainly included milk and cereals. They did not obtain a balanced diet to meet their nutritional requirement.