Child Malnutrition - What? How? And when to Refer..

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>[NARRATOR]
Worldwide, malnutrition affects 1 in 3 people.

Malnutrition contributes to between
35% and 55% of all childhood deaths,

or even more in acute emergency situations.

There are two common types of malnutrition.

Firstly, there is protein energy malnutrition

which results from a diet
lacking all major macronutrients,

such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Secondly, there is nutrient malnutrition

caused by a diet lacking
essential vitamins and minerals.

Malnutrition can cause several conditions,

such as kwashiorkor,
which commonly manifests itself

through accumulation
of fluids in the tissue.

Marasmus wound sufferers
appear skeletally thin

or stunting, a long-term
effect of malnutrition

resulting in short height
or length for a particular age.

Using this knowledge, one can easily
assess if a child is malnourished.

For infants less than 6 months old,

you should observe for visible
severe wasting of the muscles

of shoulders, arms, buttocks, and legs.

In extreme cases, there may be
folds of skin on buttocks and thighs.

Other indications are if the
child's ribs can easily be seen

and if the legs appear small
compared to the abdomen and waist.

For children aged 6 months and more,

a more conclusive test is the mid-upper
arm circumference measurement.

For this, ask the mother or carer
to uncover the child's arm.

Estimate the midpoint of the left arm

Straighten the child's arm and
wrap the tape around the midpoint.

Make sure the numbers are right-side-up
and the tape is flat around the skin.

Inspect the tension of
the tape on the child's arm.

Make sure the tape has the proper tension
and is not too tight or too loose.

Repeat any step if necessary.

When the tape is in the correct position
and correct tension on the arm,

read and call out the measurement
to the nearest 1/10 (0.1) of a centimeter.

Immediately record the measurement.

And finally, one should feel
for edema on both feet

by pressing gently with the thumb

on the top side of each foot
for at least 3 seconds.

If a dent remains following the pressing,
this is called pitting edema.

After performing these tests,

it may be necessary to refer the child
to a medical officer or hospital.

If a child under 6 months has visible signs
of severe wasting or edema of both feet,

they must be referred.

If a child older than 6 months
has a mid-upper arm measurement of less than 11.5 centimeters

or pitting edema and a medical complication,
such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and fever,

they must also be referred.

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