Clinico-epidemiological Profile and Outcome of Severe Acute Malnutrition Children Admitted to the Nutritional Rehabilitation Center of a Tertiary Care Center in Kalaburagi, Karnataka: A Retrospective Study

Abstract Introduction: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) continues to be one of the most important preventable causes of under-five morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in South Asia, a significant proportion of which is contributed by India. Nutritional rehabilitation centers (NRCs) deliver standardized care for children with SAM using guidelines derived from the World Health Organization (WHO); however, there is a paucity of data regarding their functioning in Karnataka and Southern India. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to assess the clinico-epidemiological profile, identify risk factors, and evaluate the treatment outcomes of SAM children admitted to NRC in Kalaburagi. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective record-based cross-sectional study conducted among all under-five children admitted with SAM at the NRC of a tertiary care center in Kalaburagi. Data were collected from the available medical records of 150 admitted children, and analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. Results: Out of the 150 cases analyzed, 51% were boys, with the majority (72%) belonging to the 1–24-month age group. Laboratory findings revealed a high burden of anemia, with 44% of children having moderate-to-severe anemia. Overall, 88% of the children achieved a weight gain of more than 5 g/kg/day prior to discharge. Around 80% of admitted SAM children were discharged with an improvement in their grade of malnutrition. Conclusion: Hospital-based management of SAM children in NRC with adherence to the updated WHO standard guidelines has helped in reducing mortality and morbidity among undernourished children.