A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY EXAMINING THE PREVALENCE, CLINICAL PROFILE, AND OUTCOMES OF SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN AGED FIVE TO SIXTY

Objective: To ascertain the prevalence and clinical characteristics of severe acute malnutrition (SAM), includingkinds, comorbidities, and risk factors, in children between the ages of five and sixty months. Furthermore, to assessthe SAM therapy and post-hospitalization course.”Study Design: A Prospective Observational StudyPlace and Duration of Study: From 05-January 2022 to 05- July 2022, this research was carried out at thePeoples university of Medical Health Sciences NawabShah Department of Pediatrics.Materials and Methods: The prospective study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, People’s University ofMedical and Health Sciences Nawabshah from January 2022 to July included based on previously specified criteria .A structured proforma was used to record demographics, clinical presentations, and comorbidities. Statistical analysisused appropriate methods to elucidate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes associated with SAM inthis cohort.Results: The study found a 3.5% prevalence of severe malnutrition (SAM) in children aged sixty-five months.Clinical presentations included fever (65%), fever (62%), anorexia (55%), and acute respiratory distress syndrome(52%). Comorbidities such as anemia (82%) and pneumonia (38%) were common. Approximately 51% recovered,with an average hospital stay of 9.21 ± 6.78 days. However, four children (6%) died on admission. These findingshighlight the enormous burden of SAM and emphasize the importance of effective management strategies to controlnutritional maintenance and infectious diseases in affected children emphasize the role of medicine.Conclusion: The study highlights the widespread challenge of acute malnutrition (SAM) among children inNawabshah, emphasizing the urgent need for multi-faceted interventions. Addressing the complex intersection of social,economic, and health determinants is essential to improving outcomes. Sustainable treatment is needed to reduce thenegative impact of malnutrition and improve child health in resource-limited settings. The findings highlight the criticalrole of integrated approaches, including medical interventions, prevention programs, and socioeconomic empowermentin the cycle of malnutrition stopping and highlighting long-term health consequences for vulnerable children.Keywords: Severe acute malnutrition, Clinical profile, Outcomes, Children, Prevalence