Ann Pediatr Res | Volume 4, Issue 2 | Research Article | Open Access

Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children Admitted to Sendwe Hospital in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

Judith Sangwa Sinanduku¹, Patricia Lukusa Mishika², Franck Moma Mukunda³, Loriot Mudisu4, Olivier Mukuku^4*, Oscar Numbi Luboya^1,4 and Stanislas O Wembonyama¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo ²Department of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo ³Minister of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo ⁴Department of Pediatrics, Higher Institute of Medical Techniques, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

^*Correspondance to: Olivier Mukuku 

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Abstract

Objectives: To describe the socio-demographic, clinical and outcomes characteristics of children under five years hospitalized for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) at the Intensive Nutritional and Therapeutic Unit (INTU) of Sendwe Hospital in Lubumbashi. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study from January 1st to June 30th, 2017 on a sample of 173 children aged 6 to 59 months hospitalized at the INTU at Jason Sendwe Hospital in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo). Results: The mean age was 16.23 months and 53.18% were between 6 and 11 months old; 61.27% were male (sex ratio 1:58) and 73.4% lived in urban-rural areas. HIV infection was noted in 6.36%. The marasmus was found in 48.55% and the oedematous malnutrition in 50.8%. We noted that 30.06% had gastroenteritis, 27.7% had severe anemia, 11.56% had lung infection, 10.98% had malaria and 6.9% had tuberculosis. The mean length of hospital stay was 10.41 days. The outcome was favourable in 76.3% and 9.83% had died. The prevalence of SAM had dropped from 96.5% on admission to 1.5% on discharge. Conclusion: Malnutrition is still a problem in our environment as shown by these results, and its reduction will surely require the improvement of parents' living and education conditions.

Keywords:

Severe acute malnutrition; Children; Lubumbashi; DRC; WHO

Citation:

Sinanduku JS, Mishika PL, Mukunda FM, Mudisu L, Mukuku O, Luboya ON, et al. Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children Admitted to Sendwe Hospital in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Ann Pediatr Res. 2020;4(2):1037..