This document provides information on malnutrition definitions, prevalence, causes, admission and discharge criteria, and general management for malnutrition in India from the National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR). It defines severe acute malnutrition and provides WHO criteria for identifying, admitting, and discharging patients. It also outlines the general 10 step management approach including stabilizing hypoglycemia, hypothermia, and infections before beginning rehabilitation with formula diets like F-75 and F-100 to support catch-up growth.
4.
MALNUTRITION
WHO defines Malnutrition as :
"the cellular imbalance between the supply of nutrients and energy
and the body's demand for them to ensure growth, maintenance,
and specific functions.“
Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body
does not get the right amount of the vitamins, minerals, and
other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ
function.
N.I.N (ICMR)
Definitions
5. SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION (WHO-UNICEF*)
macro & micronutrient deficiency
WFH or weight for height below –3 standard deviation (SD or Z
scores) of the median WHO growth reference (2006),
visible severe wasting,
presence of bipedal oedema
Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) below 115mm or 11 cm”.
Based on the Welcome classification, if the child has Kwashiorkor,
Marasmus, or Marasmic-Kwashiorkar
MARASMUS
Represents simple starvation . The body adapts to a chronic state of
insufficient caloric intake
KWASHIORKOR
It is the body’s response to insufficient protein intake but usually sufficient
calories for energy
NIN (ICMR)
7. NIN (ICMR)
Severely malnourished under-five children in India are estimated to
constitute 6.4 per cent in addition to 19.8 per cent who are moderately
malnourished. This translates to 8.1 million children with severe acute
malnutrition (SAM) in India.
10. The causes of malnutrition in India are due to a variety of
factors;
Including low birth weight of babies,
Early marriage and pregnancy,
Low status of women and
Lack of access to quality health care at the primary level.
Highest rate of open defecation in the world (58% of the
global total),
Poor access to potable drinking water and cultural
practices that inhibit early initiation of breastfeeding.
Infections (worms, measles, T.B)
Diarrhoea & malabsorption
NIN (ICMR)
11. NIN (ICMR)
ADMISSION AND DISCHARGE CRITERIA
FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE 6–59 MONTHS
OF AGE WITH SEVERE ACUTE
MALNUTRITION
12.
Criteria for identifying children with severe acute
malnutrition for treatment (WHO )
1. IDENTIFICATION IN COMMUNITY:
Trained community health workers and community members should measure:
the MUAC of infants and children who are 6–59 months of age
examine them for bilateral pitting oedema.
Infants and children who are 6–59 months of age and have a mid-upper
arm circumference <115 mm, or who have any degree of bilateral oedema
should be immediately referred for full assessment at a treatment centre for
the management of severe acute malnutrition.
13. NIN (ICMR)
2. IDENTIFICATION IN PRIMARY HEALTH-CARE FACILITIES
AND HOSPITALS
Health-care workers should assess :
The mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) or the weight-for-
height/weight-for-length status of infants and children who are 6–59
months of age
examine them for bilateral oedema.
Infants and children who are 6–59 months of age and have a mid-
upper arm circumference <115 mm or a weight-for-height/length <–3
Z-scores of the WHO growth standards (2), or have bilateral oedema,
should be immediately admitted to a programme for the management
of severe acute malnutrition.
14.
Criteria for inpatient or outpatient care*
(WHO )
Children who are identified as having severe acute malnutrition should
first be assessed with
• a full clinical examination
• Children who have appetite (pass the appetite test) and are clinically
well and alert should be treated as outpatients.
• Children who have medical complications, severe oedema (+++)***,
or poor appetite (fail the appetite test****) or present with one or more
IMCI danger signs† should be treated as inpatients.
NIN (ICMR)
15.
Criteria for transferring children from inpatient to
outpatient care* (WHO )
• Children with SAM who are admitted to hospital can be transferred to
outpatient care when their medical complications, including oedema,
are resolving and they have good appetite, and are clinically well and
alert.
• The decision to transfer children from inpatient to outpatient care
should be determined by their clinical condition and not on the basis
of specific anthropometric outcomes such as a specific mid-upper arm
circumference or weight-for-height/length.
NIN (ICMR)
16.
Criteria for discharging children from treatment
(WHO )
a) Children with severe acute malnutrition should only be discharged
from treatment when their:
weight-for-height/length is ≥–2 Z-score and they have had no
oedema for at least 2 weeks, or
mid-upper-arm circumference is ≥125 mm and they have had no
oedema for at least 2 weeks.
b) The anthropometric indicator should be used to assess whether a
child has reached nutritional recovery.
c) Children admitted with only bilateral pitting oedema should be
discharged from treatment
d) Percentage weight gain should not be used as a discharge criterion.
NIN (ICMR)
19.
Management of Severe Acute
Malnutrition
World Health Organization (WHO) 1999:
Facility-based care for the management of severe
acute malnutrition (SAM)
Children under 5 with SAM are treated until full
recovery in paediatric ward, nutrition
rehabilitation unit, therapeutic feeding centre
20.
General Management
Follow WHO Guidelines
1. Treat/prevent hypo-glycaemia
2. Treat/prevent hypothermia
3. Treat/prevent dehydration
4. Correct electrolyte imbalance
5. Treat/prevent infection
6. Correct micronutrient deficiencies
7. Initiate re feeding
8. Facilitate catch-up growth
9. Provide sensory stimulation and emotional support
10. Prepare for follow-up after recovery
21.
10 step approach
STABILIZATION REHABILITATION
DAY 1-2 DAY 3-7 WEEKS 2-6
Hypoglycemia -------------
Hypothermia -------------
Dehydration -------------
Electrolyte imbalance ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Infections ----------------------------------
Micronutrient ------NO IRON-----------------------WITH IRON------------
Initiate feeding -----------------------------------
Catch up growth ---------------------------
Sensory stimulation --------------------------------------------------------------------
Prepare for follow-up ---------------------------
Time frame for the management of a child with complicated severe acute
malnutrition
22.
Hypoglycemia
<54mg/dl
Imp cause of death in first 2 days of treatment
To prevent, child should be feed every 2 or 3
hours day and night.
Signs: hypothermia , lethargy , limpness, LOC.
Treatment:
If conscious: give 50 ml of 10% D/W or F-75 diet by
mouth (whichever is available)
If not conscious: 5ml/kg of 10% D/W I/V then 50 ml 10
% D/W by NG tube.
When gains consciousness then immediately start F-75
diet or glucose in water (60g/l)
Continue frequent diets to prevent recurrence
Should also be treated with broad spectrum antibiotics.
23.
Hypothermia
Rectal temp. <35.5 C (95.5 F) or axillary temp 35 C
(95 F)
Temp should be measured ½ hrly during
rewarming
All hypothermic should also be treated for
hypoglycemia.
Dehydration and septic shock
Difficult to differentiate in severely malnourished
Dehydration tends to be over diagnosed and its
severity over estimated
Some :5% wt loss
Severe : 10 % wt loss
24.
Reliable points
History of diarrhoea
Thirst
Hypothermia
Recent sunken eyes
Weak or absent radial
pulse
Cold hands and feet
Urine flow
Not reliable points
Mental status
Mouth tongue tears
Skin elasticity
Incipient septic shock
Limp, apathic,
anorexic
Developed septic shock
Engorged superficial
veins
Engorged lung vein
leading to resp.
distress cough,
grunting, groaning
Liver, kidney, cardiac
failure
Hemet emesis, blood
in stool, abd
distension.
25. Treatment of dehydration
Whenever possible
should be rehydrated
orally. IV infusion easily
causes overhydration and
heart failure should only
be used when definite
signs of shock
RESOMAL
(Recommended ORS
solution for severely
malnourished
children)
Component RESOMAL
(mmol/l)
Reduced
osmolarity
ORS
Glucose 125 75
Sodium 45 75
Potassium 40 20
Chloride 70 65
Citrate 7 10
Magnesium 3 ----
Zinc 0.3 ----
Copper 0.045 ----
Osmolarity 300 245
26.
How to prepare ?
Commercially available
One pack of standard ORS in 2 litre of water +50
gm. sucrose + 40 ml mineral mix solution.
Amount
70-100 ml/kg in 12 hour
5 ml/kg every 30min in first 2 hours orally or NG
then 5-10ml/kg per hour
Add acc. to loss in stool, vomiting. Add 50-100ml
after every stool for under 2 years of age and 100-
200ml for older children
Immediately stop if signs of overhydration
appears( Resp rate & pulse rate increase,
engorged jugular veins, puffy eyelids)
Rehydration completed : if no thist, urine passed,
signs of dehydration disappeared.
27.
How to give
Sip by sip or spoon every few minutes.
If exhausted then NG
NG should be used in all children who are exhausted, weak
enough, who vomit, have fast breathing, stomatitis.
IV rehydration
Only indication in circulatory collapse
Use in preference
1- Half strength Darrow’s solution with 5%glucose
2- R/Lactate with 5% glucose
3- 0.45% ( Half normal) saline with 5%glucose
Give 15ml/kg over 1 hr. monitor for over hydration
Meanwhile continue NG RESOMAL (10ml/kg per hr.)
If still severely dehydrated after 1st bolus then repeat IV
15ml/kg over 1 hr. and switch to RESOMAL.
If still no improvement then consider septic shock and treat
accordingly.
Feeding
Continue feeding during rehydration. Start F-75 diet orally or
NG as possible within 2-3 hrs after starting rehydration.
Diet and RESOMAL are given in alternate hrs.
28.
Dietary Treatment
Formula diets
Two formula diets, F-75 and F-100.
F-75 (75kcal/100ml) is used during initial phase of
treatment.
F-100 (100kcal/100ml) is used during rehabilitation
phase, after the appetite has returned
How to prepare ?
Ingredient Amount
F-75 F-100
Dried skimmed milk 25gm 80gm
Sugar 70gm 50gm
Cereal flour 35gm ----
Vegetable oil 27gm 60gm
Mineral mix 20ml 20ml
Vitamin mix 140mg 140mg
Water to make 1000ml 1000ml
29.
Mineral mix solution Vitamin mix
Substance Amount
Potassium chloride 89.5gm
Tripotassium citrate 32.4gm
Magnisium chloride 30.5gm
Zinc acetate 3.3gm
Copper sulfate 0.56gm
Sodium selenate 10mg
Potassium iodide 5mg
Water to make 1000ml
Substance Amount per lt
of liquid diet
Water soluble
Thiamine (B1) 0.7mg
Riboflavin (B2) 2.0mg
Nicotinic acid 10mg
Pyridoxine (B6) 0.7mg
Cyanocobalamine (B12) 1 µg
Folic acid 0.35mg
Ascorbic acid( Vit C) 100mg
Pantothenic acid (B5) 3mg
Biotin 0.1 mg
Fat soluble
Retinol( vit A) 1.5mg
Calciferol (vit D) 30 µg
Tocopherol (vit E) 22mg
Vit K 40 µg
30.
Composition
Constituents Amount per 100 ml
F-75 F-100
Energy 75kcal 100kcal
Protein 0.9gm 2.9gm
Lactose 1.3gm 4.2gm
Potassium 3.6mmol 5.9mmol
Sodium 0.6mmol 1.9mmol
Magnesium 043mmol 0.73mmol
Zinc 2.0mg 2.3mg
Copper 025mg 0.25mg
Percentage of energy from
Protein 5% 12%
Fat 32% 53%
osmolarity 333mOsmmol/l 419mOsmol/l
31.
How to give feed
To avoid overloading intestine, liver, kidneys;
frequent and small feeds should be given. Every
2,3 or 4 hourly, day and night.
If can’t take orally, then use NG.
If vomiting occurs, then amount and interval
should be reduced.
F-75 diet should be given during initial phase.
Child should be given at least 80kcal/kg but not
more than 100kcal/kg.
If <80kcal/kg per day are given, tissue will
continue to break and child will deteriorate.
And if >100kcal/kg per day are given, then child
may develop serious metabolic imbalance.
32.
Amount of diet to give at each feed to achieve a
daily intake of 100kcal/kg.
Weight of child
(Kg)
Volume of F-75 per feed (ml)
Every 2 hr
(12 feeds)
Every 3 hrs
(8 feeds)
Every 4 hrs
(6 feeds)
2 20 30 45
3 35 50 65
4 45 70 90
5 55 80 110
6 65 100 130
7 75 115 155
8 90 130 175
9 100 145 200
10 110 160 220
33.
Child should be fed with cup and spoon, not by feeder
as it is an important source of infection.
Very weak may be fed using a dropper and syringe.
Nasogastric (NG) feeding
Many children will not take sufficient diet by mouth during first
few days of treatment due to poor appetite, weakness,
stomatitis. Such patients should be given through NG tube.
At each feed, the child should first be offered the diet orally.
After the child has taken as much he or she can, the remainder
should be given thru NG.
NG should be removed when child is taking ¾ of day’s diet
orally, or takes 2 consecutive feeds fully by mouth.
If next 24 hrs. child fails to take 80kcal/kg then reinsert tube.
And if child develops distension during NG feed, give 2 ml of
Mg sulfate IM.
NG should be always aspirated before feeds Are administered.
Should be passed by trained staff to avoid aspiration
34.
THE INITIAL PHASE OF TREATMENT ENDS
WHEN THE CHILD BECOMES HUNGRY.
This indicates that
Infections are under control
Liver is able to metabolize diet
Other metabolic abnormalities are improving.
Child is now ready to begin rehabilitation phase.
This usually occurs after 2-7 days of treatment.
While children with complication takes longer time
while some are hungry from the start and can be
shifted to F-100.
Replace the equal amount of F-75 diet with F-100 for
2 days before increasing the volume.
Type of feed given, amount offered and taken date
time must be recorded accurately after each feed. If
child vomits, the amount lost should be noted in
terms of whole feed, half of feed etc.
35.
Treatment of infection
Nearly all severely malnourished children have bacterial infections
when first admitted. Early anti microbial treatment improves
nutritional response, prevent septic shock, reduce mortality.
These are divided into :
First line treatment.
Which is given empirically to all.
Ampicillin 2 days then amoxicillin for 5 days
Gentamycin 7 days
Second line treatment
If no response, add chloramphenicol for 5 days.
If specific infection is detected like dysentery, candidiasis, malaria,
intestinal helminthiasis, then treat accordingly
Tuberculosis is also very common, ATT should be given only when
TB is diagnosed.
Measles and other viral infections
All should be given measles vaccine on admission and on discharge
36.
Vitamin deficiencies
Vitamin A deficiency
Signs of VAD
Night blindness
Conjuctival xerosis
Bitot’s spots
Corneal xerosis
Corneal ulceration
Keratomalacia
Other vitamin deficiency
Folic acid should be given to all ( 5mg on day 1and
then 1mg daily.
While other vit. are added in vitamin mix solution.
Timing Dosage
Day 1
<6 months 50,000IU
6-12 months 100,000IU
>12 months 200,000IU
Day 2 Repeat same
dose
2 weeks later Repeat same
dose
37.
Catch up growth
Signs that a child has reached this
phase:
return of appetite,
edema gone and
no episodes of hypoglycemia
38.
Treatment:
Gradual transition from starter to catch up
Replace F75 with an equal amount of
F100(100kcal/100ml and 2.9g protein/100ml)
or RUTF for 2-3 days
On day 3 increase each successive feed by
10ml till some remains uneaten at abt
200ml/kg/d
Aft gradual transition give frequent feeds
unlimited amts, 150-220kcal/kg/d, 4-6g of
protein/d
39. Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food
(RUTF)
Energy- and nutrient-
dense lipid-based paste:
500 kcal/92 g
Same formula as F-100
(except it contains iron)
No microbial growth,
even when opened
Safe and easy for home
use
Is not given to infants
under 6 months
40.
Sensory stimulation
Tender, loving care
Structured play therapy for 15- 30 mins/d
Physical activity as soon as the child is well
enough.
A cheerful, stimulating environment.
Encourage mother’s involvement e.g.
comforting, feeding, bathing, play
Provide suitable toys for the children.
41.
Associated conditions
Eye problems
vitamin A, days 1,2,14
Signs of corneal clouding/ulceration
Caf/tetracycline eye drops qid for 7-10
days
Atropine eye drops 1 drops tid 3-5 days
Cover with saline soaked pads
Bandage eyes
42.
Severe Anaemia
Transfuse: Hb < 4gldl,4-6g/dl in resp. distress
Whole blood – 10 ml/kg slowly for 3hrs + frusemide
1mg/kg iv at the start of transfusion
Packed cells – 10 ml/kg if in CCF
Continuing diarrhoea
Replacement fluids CT
Stool m/c/s and treat accordingly. giardia; flagyl
7.5mg/kg TID x 7d
Osmotic diarrhoea: Diarrhea worsens with
hyperosmolar F75 and ceases when sugar content and
osmolarity are reduced.Rx-lower osmolar feeds
43.
Rehabilitation
Appetite has returned
Principles: encourage child to eat as much as
possible, breastfeeding, emotional care, prepare
mum for continued care
Criteria 4 Discharge : eating well, improved mental
status, normal temp, no vomiting/diarrhea/edema,
gaining weight >5g/kg/d for 3consecutive days.
Continue monitoring progress.
45.
Discharge and follow-up
Discharge Criteria
All infections, other conditions have been treated
Good appetite and gaining weight (90% expected
WH )
Lost any oedema
Appropriate support in the community or home
Mother/carer: available, understands child’s
needs, able to supply needs
46.
Follow up
Planned and regular, nutrition clinic
Risk of relapse greatest aft discharge then
should be seen aft 1wk,2wks,1mth,3mths
If a problem is identified more frequent
visits
Aft 6mths,do yearly visits till 3yrs of age.
49.
Thanks to an appropriate management
scheme, from being severely
malnourished (weight 4.75 kg), this 2-
year old girl not only gained 32% more
weight in 3 weeks (weight 6.28), but
she also gained an appetite for living.
SOURCE** - WHO
An example of a young child with severe
acute malnutrition who, with the
interventions of a community health
system and Plumpy'Nut, recovered her
health in about 7 weeks.
SOURCE** - EDESIA
NUTRITION
51.
PREVENTION
Appropriate nutrition policies programmes
Improving food security
Protection and promotion of good health
Appropriate care practices for good nutrition
SUMMARY- GOBIFFF the UNICEF adaptation
Growth monitoring
Oral rehydration
Breast feeding
Immunization
Feeds (supplements)
Female education
Family spacing
52. NIN (ICMR)
1. WHO. Guideline: Updates on the management of severe acute malnutrition in infants and children. Geneva, World Health
Organization; 2013 (http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/guidelines/updates_management_SAM_
Infant and children/en/).
2. WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group. WHO child growth standards: methods and development. Growth velocity
based on weight, length and head circumference. Geneva, World Health Organization; 2009
(www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/velocity/technical_report/en/index.html).
3. WHO. Management of severe malnutrition: a manual for physicians and other senior health workers. Geneva, World Health
Organization; 1999 (http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/severemalnutrition/9241545119/en/).
4. WHO, WFP, UNSCN, UNICEF. Community-based management of severe acute malnutrition. A joint statement by the World
Health Organization, World Food Programme, United Nations Standing Committee on Nutrition, United Nations Children’s
Fund. Geneva, World Health Organization; 2007
(http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/severemalnutrition/9789280641479/en/).
5. WHO child growth standards and the identification of severe acute malnutrition in infants and children. A joint statement by the
World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund. Geneva:, World Health Organization; 2009
(http://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/9789241598163/en/).
6. Integrated management of childhood illness: caring for newborns and children in the community. Geneva, World Health
Organization; 2011 (http://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/imci_community_care/en/).
BIBLIOGRAPHY