Description

Karunaratne et al reported factors predictive of mortality of a pediatric inpatient with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). These can help to identify a patient who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from Zvitambo Institute of Maternal and Child Health Research (Zimbabwe), Queen Mary University (London) and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry.


Patient selection: pediatric inpatient with severe acute malnutrition

 

Predictors of mortality:

(1) low WHZ (weight for height Z score)

(2) HIV infection

(3) diarrhea

(4) pneumonia

(5) shock

(6) lack of appetite or need for nasogastric feeding

 

Other factors that may be significant:

(1) edema

(2) multi-organ failure


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