Efficacy of a therapeutic feeding centre evaluated during hospitalization and a follow-up period, Tahoua, Niger, 1987-1988

Ann Trop Paediatr. 1992;12(1):47-54. doi: 10.1080/02724936.1992.11747546.

Abstract

Between 1 February 1987 and 31 May 1988 an evaluation of a nutritional rehabilitation centre in Tahoua, Niger was conducted. Among the 381 children admitted to the centre, 61 (16%) had kwashiorkor and 347 (91.3%) were aged between 6 and 29 months. Recovery and death rates were 46.2% and 14.4%, respectively. The median duration of stay until recovery was 21 days. Sixty-two per cent of deaths occurred during the 1st week of hospitalization. Three risk factors for death were identified by the study: patients with kwashiorkor with a weight/height (W/H) less than -3 SD, those with marasmus with a W/H less than -5 SD, and those dehydrated with marasmus. Among children included in the follow-up study after leaving the centre, the risk of dying during the follow-up period among children who absconded was 7.1 times higher than the risk observed among children who recovered. Among the children who recovered, no relapse was observed 3-18 months after they left the centre. This investigation indicates the importance of intensive therapeutic feeding centres in areas with a high prevalence of malnutrition.

MeSH terms

  • Body Height
  • Body Weight
  • Child Health Services*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Facilities*
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Niger
  • Nutritional Status
  • Prospective Studies
  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition / mortality
  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition / physiopathology
  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition / therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome