Abstract

The aim of the study is to study prevalence of the fungal infection in Severe Acute Malnutrition children admitted in hospital. All children in the age group between 1 months to 59 months admitted in Paediatric SAM ward of Hindu Rao Hospital with severe acute malnutrition were included in the study in accordance with the inclusion / exclusion criteria. Result: The prevalence of fungal infection in severe acute malnutrition children below 5 years age was 12.8%. Among the patients, 134 (89.9%) were diagnosed as SAM based on weight by height ratio or length < -3SD, 19 (12.8%) based on presence of edema, and 106 (71.1%) based on MUAC < 11.5 cm. Conclusion: The prevalence of fungal infection in severe acute malnutrition children below 5 years age was 12.8%. 134 (89.9%) were diagnosed as SAM based on weight by height ratio or length < -3SD, 19 (12.8%) based on presence of edema, and 106 (71.1%) based on MUAC < 11.5 cm. Of the 149 children enrolled in the study, mean age of children was 23.9+15.6 months. Majority of children were below 2 years of age with 42 (28.2%) below 1 year and 41 (27.5%) between 12 and 24 years of age. 61 (40.9%) were females and 88 (59.1%) were males. 134 (89.9%) had weight by height less than -3SD, while 15 (10.1%) had more than -3SD.

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