Summary

In this study session you learned that:

• All infants under six months with SAM need to be treated in an in-patient facility.
• The presence of medical complications, including general danger signs, or failing the appetite test means that a severely malnourished child should be classified as severe complicated malnutrition and referred to an in-patient facility.
• Children of six months or older with severe uncomplicated malnutrition can be treated in an OTP at your health facility.
• There are admission, referral and discharge criteria to and from OTP.
• The OTP protocol provides you with the key steps for managing children with severe acute malnutrition.
• It is important to record information on the appropriate registration and recording forms.
• There are different aspects for organising out-patient treatment of SAM, including community mobilisation and using formal communication channels to ensure your community are aware of the relevant services.