Summary

In this study session, you have learned that:

1. 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 post.
2. 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.
3. Children classified as having severe uncomplicated malnutrition can be treated at the health post using the OTP service and treatment protocol.
4. 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.
5. Children with some palmar pallor may have anaemia and should be given iron.
6. RUTF is a food and medicine for malnourished children only and should not be shared.
7. Follow-up care for a child with uncomplicated malnutrition should include a visit to the health post every seven days for two months.
8. 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.
9. Follow-up care for a child with anaemia includes a visit the clinic every 14 days.