Frequency of Leading Factors of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children Below Five Years of Age Attending National Institute of Child Health, Karachi

Aim: To determine the frequency of leading factors of severe acute malnutrition in children below five years of age.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Outpatient department, National Institute of Child Health (NICH) Karachi from December 7, 2017 to June 9, 2018.

Methodology: All children of 6 months to 5 years of age of either gender presented with severe acute malnutrition were included. Information regarding age, gender, weight, height and all leading factors of severe acute malnutrition were noted.

Results: Out of total 157 children, pre-maturity was observed in 21 (13.4%) children, low birth weight in 84 (53.5%) children, anemia in 105 (66.9%) children, lack of complete immunization in 81 (51.6%) children, maternal illiteracy 96 (61.1%), paternal illiteracy 31 (19.7%), low income 116 (73.9%), lack of exclusive breastfeeding in 87 (55.4%) children, administration of Pre-lacteals as the first feeding in 54 (34.4%) whereas initiation of complementary feeding after nine months was observed in 48 (30.6%) children.

Conclusion: The presence of low income, anemia, maternal illiteracy, lack of exclusive breastfeeding and low birth weight were the leading factors of severe acute malnutrition in children below the age of five years.