Abstract

To determine the co-morbidities in children with severe acute malnutrition who are being treated in hospitals. To determine the mortality risk variables for SAM children being treated in hospitals. Methods: All hospitalised children were included in accordance with WHO criteria in this hospital based descriptive study. An ethical committee gave its clearance before the probe was started. Parental approval was gotten knowingly. Demographic data, including age, gender, and location, as well as socioeconomic status, were obtained after gaining parental consent. Result: 43.7% of the 250 children were ages 1-3, 34 were 3-5, and 48.1% were under one. 236 (95%) of 250 hospitalised SAM children had substitute milk, while 14 (5.6%) did not. (52.4%) and animal milk (42%). 5.6% of alternative milk recipients received appropriately diluted milk, while 87.6% did not. Bottle feeding was most prevalent (60.8%). Paladai (22%), cup and spoon (8%), and glass (4.4%) were other feeding ways. 22.4% of children were moderately stunted and 23.2% severely stunted. 47.1% of SAM patients with sepsis and 43.2% of those without died. (p 0.001). Seven retroviral-positive SAM patients died. HIV-positive SAM children have poor prognoses. Conclusion: Hospitalised SAM children have worm infestation (13.5%), UTI (13.5%), skin infection (8%), measles (6%), retroviral infections (3.5%), TB (1%) and meningitis (0.5%). Sepsis and retroviral infections increased death risk

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