STUDY OF RISK FACTORS OF SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION IN ADMITTED PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Background : Nearly 80 million children i.e, 65% children under 5years of age suffers from varying degree of malnutrition. Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) increases childhood morbidity , mortality and can lead to poor cognitive  development. Total growth & development of children is influenced by various environmental,  socioeconomic  & nutritional factors. OBJECTIVES : This study was conducted to assess various risk factors associated with SAM. MATERIALS AND METHODS : fifty infants and children aged between 6months to 5 years were included in this prospective observational  study who were admitted in pediatric  ward of tertiary care hospital with SAM. With consent of parents prior  to interview by explaining them objectives of study. Proper history regarding all risk factors was taken properly and entered in preformed proforma. Than those data were compiled and analysed. RESULT : SAM was more  commonl y seen in patients having : age group of 6 months to 2 years , female gender, improper hand washing practice , immunizations unavailability  of exclusive breast feeding , lower education of mother , poor housing condition , improper  complementary  feeding practices , higher birth order. CONCLUSION: exclusive breast feeding , proper complementary  feeding practices,  proper birth spacing and family planning , improving sanitation and female education are some of the modifiable risk factors which can be reduce occurrences of SAM.