Summary
In this study session, you have learned that:
- Children classified as having severe uncomplicated malnutrition are at risk of death from pneumonias, diarrhoea, measles and other serious diseases. They must be referred urgently to a hospital because they may need specialist care or treatment that cannot be provided at the health facility.
- Children classified as having severe anaemia are at risk of death from heart failure, hypoxia or bacterial infection and must be referred urgently to hospital.
- Children classified as having severe uncomplicated malnutrition can be treated at the health facility using the OTP service and treatment protocol.
- Children classified as having moderate acute malnutrition have a higher risk of serious diseases. You should address the child’s feeding pattern and advise the parent or caregiver the best way to feed the child.
- Children with some palmar pallor may have anaemia and should be given iron.
- RUTF is a food and medicine for malnourished children only and should not be shared.
- Follow-up care for a child with uncomplicated malnutrition should include a visit to the health facility every seven days for two months.
- A child with moderate acute malnutrition should be referred to a complementary feeding centre and the parent or caregiver should be given counselling to help improve the feeding and care of the child.
- Follow-up care for a child with anaemia includes a visit the clinic every 14 days.
Last modified: Thursday, 22 May 2014, 11:38 PM