WEIGHT GAIN ON WHO RECOMMENDED F-100 DIET IN CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE HOSPITALISED WITH SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION AT KHAIRPUR MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a major contributor to under-five child mortality worldwide. WHO recommends that children with SAM be managed in hospitals with F75 during stabilization and F100 during rehabilitation. Objective: To determine the frequency of children under five years of age hospitalized with severe acute malnutrition having adequate weight gain on F100 diet during the rehabilitation phase at KMC Hospital. Methods: Parameter Description Study Design Descriptive study Setting Department of Pediatrics Medicine, KMC Hospital Khairpur Mirs Duration 6 months Sampling Technique Non-probability consecutive sampling Sample Size 110 children Inclusion Criteria Children aged 6 months – 5 years with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) Management Protocol Stabilization with F75 diet, followed by rehabilitation with F100 diet Measurements Initial weight (W1) and final weight (W2) recorded Formula for Average Daily Weight Gain Average daily weight gain=(W2−W1)×1000W1×D\text{Average daily weight gain} = \frac{(W2 - W1) \times 1000}{W1 \times D} where W1 = weight at start (kg), W2 = weight at discharge (kg), D = duration of hospital stay (days) Criteria for Adequate Weight Gain > 10 g/kg/day Data Analysis Software SPSS version 25 Statistical Methods Frequencies, percentages, means, chi-square test Significance Level p-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant Results: Mean weight at admission was 4.82 ± 1.70 kg. Average daily weight gain was 14.10 ± 5.23 g/kg/day (range: 5.34–28.35 g/kg/day), which was significantly greater than weight at admission (p=0.000). Adequate weight gain was achieved in 36 (81.8%) cases, while 8 (18.2%) showed inadequate gain. Mean duration of hospital stay was 12.91 ± 6.85 days. Conclusion: Majority of children with SAM on F100 diet achieved adequate weight gain during rehabilitation. Weight gain was significantly associated with weight at admission. F100 formula remains an effective intervention for nutritional rehabilitation.