What is the impact of malnutrition, and specifically SAM, on children? (insert malnourished Indian Kid)

-

 

Adequate nutrition is required for physical, cognitive and overall growth of the child. India’s under-5 mortality rate is 39 per 1000 live births. This is worse than China (9 per 1000), Libya (12), Tunisia (13), Indonesia (25), Philippines (28), Bangladesh (32) and Nepal (33). Malnutrition is the major cause of India’s under 5 mortality numbers. It was the predominant risk factor of death in children under 5 years in India in 2017, accounting for 68.2% deaths, and the leading risk factor for health loss of all ages, responsible for 17.3% of the total disability adjusted life years (DALYs).[1]

There are various case fatality rates reported by different experts on SAM. While the WHO estimates mortality rates to be around 10-20%[2], some experts in India believe that it is much lower.  But, even at the lowest average case fatality suggested, at 3%, about 1.7 lakh children are at risk of death in India.

 

 

Treatment of SAM:

At present the only treatment protocol in India for SAM children is to admit the complicated cases for facility-based care. But there are only about 1200 Nutritional Rehabilitation Centers – and at around 7800 cases per center - these are not enough to treat so many sick children. Covid-19 has also disrupted health services across the country. It is also suitable during the pandemic that treatment facilities be avoided.

In any case, 90% of SAM cases need not go to facility based care and can be treated in the community through community-based management (CMAM) programs using Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF)[3], which is the universally accepted treatment protocol recommended by UNICEF & WHO for uncomplicated SAM children.

CMAM is a treatment protocol wherein the caregivers of the child are trained in proper nutritional habits, hygiene and breastfeeding practices. The child is provided emergency nutritional supplement in the form of RUTF for 8-12 weeks and medicines to treat any illnesses like diarrhea and edema which are found in many SAM children.

Alternative feeding models using a combination of RUTF and home-based food are also being explored. The suitability of these alternative models must be studies in the Indian context.

CMAM programs using emergency RUTF have been successful in saving lives of SAM children in various countries in Africa and Asia and in independent pilot projects in various Indian states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. In Rajasthan, a recovery rate of 70.4% was recorded and mortality rate was brought down to 0.1% under the state POSHAN program using RUTF. However, the final guidelines on CMAM are still pending

 


[3] RUTF are energy-dense, micronutrient enhanced pastes which typically have peanuts (or corn, chickpea etc.), oil, sugar, milk powder and citamin and mineral supplements



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Science Behind RUSF

-
Image
Malnutrition remains the leading cause of death in young children under 5. Even a few years ago, there was no guaranteed measure to combat this deadly condition, but today, due to the awareness spread by the World Organizations, RUSF, and peanut butter manufacturers (who also happen to manufacture RUSF at a large scale) malnutrition has become a topic of inquisitiveness and people are interested in knowing how to combat this deadly condition in an effective manner. RUSF which stands for Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food is a well-accepted means to fight the effects of malnutrition in young children under 5. So much so that world organizations consider it the best possible treatment plan to restore health and healthy weight in children. RUSF is a packet food rich in roasted peanuts, milk powder, sugar, non-hydrogenated vegetables, vegetable oil, emulsifiers, and vitamin-mineral premix. The energy-intensive peanut-based RUSF paste offers an intensive energy boost coupled with a substa...
Read more

Manufacturing Peanut Butter - The In & Out

-
Image
Peanut butter is a popular spread that is enjoyed by many people worldwide. It is made from ground-roasted peanuts and is commonly used as an independent spread and a secret ingredient in many classic recipes. The process of making peanut butter may seem simple, but peanut butter manufacturers confirm that it is actually a complex process that involves several carefully calculated steps. The primary ingredient in peanut butter is peanuts, which are roasted and ground to create a smooth or crunchy paste. However, some manufacturers may add other ingredients to enhance the flavor or texture of the product, such as sugar, salt, vegetable oil, and emulsifiers. Additionally, some peanut butter may contain other ingredients, such as honey, chocolate, or spices, to create different flavor variations. The Manufacturing Process of Peanut Butter   The process of manufacturing peanut butter can vary depending on the manufacturer's specific recipe and manufacturing process. However, mos...
Read more

The Psychological And Emotional Impacts Of Child Malnutrition

-
Image
Malnutrition is a condition that has impacts that transcend health. While the physical consequences of malnutrition are well-documented, the psychological and emotional impacts are often overlooked. It has severe psychological and emotional impacts that go beyond childhood and stay for the duration of a lifetime. Malnutrition is one of the most complex problems among millions of children with severe consequences for physical health, cognitive development, and overall well-being. Here are some profound effects of malnutrition on a child’s mental health and emotional well-being. Impaired Cognitive Development Proper nutrition is crucial for the growth and development of the brain, and when children lack essential nutrients, their cognitive abilities suffer. Malnourished children experience difficulties with memory, attention, problem-solving, and language development. These cognitive deficits can have long-term consequences, impacting their academic performance and future prospects...
Read more