Clinicodemographic Profile, Risk Factors and Associated Co-morbidities in Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition: An Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in Assam, India
Published: April 1, 2026 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2026/81715.23146
Kumud Pathak, Akshara M Sivan
1. Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Tezpur Medical College and Hospital, Tezpur, Assam, India.
2. Postgraduate Trainee, Department of Paediatrics, Tezpur Medical College and Hospital, Tezpur, Assam, India.
Correspondence
Kumud Pathak,
Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Tezpur Medical College, Tezpur-784153, Assam, India.
E-mail: kumud.pathak@rediffmail.com
Introduction: Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children. Malnutrition during the early years of life can adversely affect overall growth, impair immunity, increase susceptibility to infections, delay development, and result in poor scholastic performance.
Aim: The present observational study was conducted to determine the clinical spectrum, sociodemographic profile, risk factors, and associated co-morbidities among children with SAM in a tertiary care centre in Assam, India.
Materials and Methods: The present hospital-based descriptive observational study was conducted at the Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) of Tezpur Medical College and Hospital from September 2023 to August 2024. All children aged six months to five years admitted with SAM as per World Health Organisation (WHO) diagnostic criteria during the study period were included. After obtaining informed consent from parents or guardians, detailed sociodemographic and nutritional histories were recorded. Clinical features, associated co-morbidities, and relevant laboratory investigations were documented. Data were entered in a predesigned proforma and analysed using Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Among the 65 children with SAM, 41 (63.07%) were males and 24 (36.9%) were females. Thirty-four children (52.3%) belonged to the 1-2-year age group. Of the total participants, 49 (75.4%) belonged to the lower socioeconomic strata, and 34 (52.3%) were residents of tea garden areas. Acute gastroenteritis was present in 21 (32.3%) children, acute respiratory infections in 18 (27.7%), moderate to severe anaemia in 15 (23.1%), delayed developmental milestones in 12 (18.5%), skin infections in 13 (20.0%), urinary tract infections in 11 (16.9%), seizure disorders in 8 (12.3%), culture-proven sepsis in 5 (7.7%), tuberculosis in 10 (15.4%), and vitamin A deficiency in 3 (4.6%) children.
Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors significantly influence the occurrence of malnutrition. Risk factors such as young age, poor literacy levels, and lack of awareness regarding nutrition contribute to malnutrition and its associated co-morbidities.
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