Abstract:

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a major silent killer among children under-five years of age, in low resources settings. It’s also being regarded as a disease of hungry communities. Therefore, to assess and classify an individual nutritional status under SAM is by anthropometry that determines body measurement. Measurable variables, age, sex, weight, height and mid-upper arm-circumference (MUAC) for children 6-59 months. SAM characterized with visible wasting and bilateral oedema, in infants < 6 months. However, social criteria like absence of a mother or inadequacy of breastfeeding predict nutritional risk. Once more, SAM in U5 assessed by nutritional indices of weight-for-height (WFH), MUAC, and bilateral oedema. Children 5-19 years BMI-for-age plus clinical signs are used. MUAC preferable during pregnancy. WHO Growth Standards of 2007 suggested over NCHS 1978. Nutrition indices in Z-scores opposed to median percentage. Median off use in classifying individual’s nutritional status. Methods and protocols for assessment of children 6-59 months are more developed than for other age. Therefore, best practice to produce functional outcomes is needed. The level of malnutrition at admission phase influences hospitals stay. Evidence suggests that, malnutrition is more frequent and severe among males than females. Implications, no special consideration in severe acute malnutrition admitted in a critical phase”. Protocols to discharge patients up on recovery needs harmonization. MUAC misdiagnose Kwashiorkor children due to fluid retention but remains a reliable tool. Ready-to-use-therapeutic food (RUTF) used for management of SAM. Study aim to evaluate the effectiveness of screening tools, therapeutic interventions and shed light on risk factors associated SAM. A later effect includes but not limited to mental retardation, poor school performance, and low self-esteem.