European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: India is home to the largest population of severely malnourished children of the world and accounts for over 20% of under-five childhood deaths every year. Nutritional rehabilitation centre are key for optimal management of these children.The objective of the study is to know morbidity and outcome pattern of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) children.  Method: 384 SAM children aged 0-59 months admitted during 18 months period in NRC Indore were enrolled in the study. Data studied were demographic and anthropometric variables on admission and discharge, complications and outcome. Result: Male children were 47% and female 52%. Mean age of admitted children was 17+/-2 months with 5% less than 6 months. Mostly belonged to lower socio-economic status, rural areas and nuclear families.  55% belonged to those who had 2 children, with admissions in 2nd birth order most common. Mean duration of exclusive breast feeding was 8+-1 month.54% children satisfied 2 out of 3 criteria.63% admissions were medically complicated cases with most common symptom being fever (46%) and anaemia as co-morbidity (59%). Maximum admissions in medically complicated cases were inacute gastroenteritis (18.7%) followed by pneumonia (17.5%).5% cases were associated with complex co-morbidities. Cure rate was 88% in both medically complicated and non-complicated cases.Cure rate was not affected by demographic factor. Conclusion: NRCs provide life –saving care as demonstrated by high survival rates. They are able to achieve this goal in all types of social groups.