Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) Evaluation of Associated Risk Factors, Screening Tools, and Therapeutic Management among South Sudanese Children Age 6

Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is a major silent killer among children under five years of age, in low resources settings. It’s also being regarded as a disease of hungry communities. Therefore, to assess and classify an individual nutritional status under SAM is by anthropometry that determines body measurement. Measurable variables, age, sex, weight, height and Mid-Upper Arm-Circumference (MUAC) for children 6-59 months. SAM characterized with visible wasting and bilateral edema, in infants <6 months. However, social criteria like the absence of a mother or inadequacy of breastfeeding predict nutritional risk. Once more, SAM in U5 assessed by nutritional indices of Weight-For-Height (WFH), MUAC, and bilateral edema. Children 5-19 years BMI-for-age plus clinical signs are used. MUAC preferable during pregnancy. WHO Growth Standards of 2007 suggested over NCHS 1978. Nutrition indices in Z-scores opposed to median percentage. Median off use in classifying individual’s nutritional status. Methods and protocols for assessment of children 6-59 months are more developed than for other age. Therefore, best practice to produce functional outcomes is needed. The level of malnutrition at admission phase influences hospitals stay. Evidence suggests that malnutrition is more frequent and severe among males than females. Implications, no special consideration in severe acute malnutrition admitted in a critical phase”. Protocols to discharge patients upon recovery needs harmonization. MUAC misdiagnose Kwashiorkor children due to fluid retention but remains a reliable tool. Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) used for management of SAM. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of screening tools, therapeutic interventions and shed light on the risk factors associated with SAM. A later effect includes but not limited to mental retardation, poor school performance, and low self-esteem.