International Clinical and Medical Case Reports Journal (ISSN: 2832-5788) | Volume 2, Issue 9 | Research Article | Open Access
Genelynne J Beley*
Department of Pediatrics, Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao City, Philippines
*Correspondence to: Genelynne J Beley
Fulltext PDFObjective: This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical profile of patients with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in a tertiary hospital in Davao City from December 2017 to December 2019.
Methodology: A retrospective descriptive study design was utilized through review of medical charts conducted in a tertiary hospital in Davao City. A total of 123 patients were included. Data were analyzed with Excel and R Software using frequency and percentages for categorical variables, while, mean, standard deviation and median were used for continuous variables. Proportion tests with one sample and normal approximation were used for three or more categorical variables. The primary outcome measures included the demographic and clinical profile of SAM patients. Prevalence rate and relationships among variables were the secondary outcomes.
Results: The prevalence rate of SAM among pediatric patients in a tertiary hospital in Davao City is 0.94% (n=132). SAM was more evident among females, aged 13-24 months old, among those with unmarried parents with one or none of the parents were employed and belonged to a small family. Diarrhea was the most common presenting complaint and respiratory tract infection was the most common comorbidity. Among those with known illness, SAM was more prevalent among patients who have had previous hospital confinement than those who were managed as outpatient. Significant relationships were established between SAM and the demographic and clinical profile of patients; however, it was observed that SAM occurs regardless of gender.
Conclusion: SAM was more common among females, 13 to 24 months of age, with unmarried parents. Diarrhea was the most common presenting complaint while respiratory tract infection was the most common comorbidity. The findings of this study support that SAM is both a socio-demographic and a clinical problem. Improved community prevention strategies and health education should focus on seeking early treatment and appropriate nutritional management.
Severe acute malnutrition; Malnutrition; Edema; Diarrhea; Community
Elaera Faith S Medrano, Ameleen B Bangayan, Genevieve Dable-Tupas, Genelynne J Beley. Profile of Pediatric Patients with Severe Acute Malnutrition in a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Philippines.Int Clinc Med Case Rep Jour. 2023;2(9):1-10.