Follow-up study of survivors of severe protein energy manlnutrition.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the nutritional profile of survivors of severe protein energy malnutrition on follow-up at 1-3 years and 5-7 years.


METHODS
Prospective and Cross-sectional point prevalence.


METHODS
Group I comprised 50 severely malnourished children dischared 5-7 years from nutritional rehabilitation center and Group II comprised 50 children discharged 1-3 years ago. The nutritional status of these 100 children was compared to the nutritional status of 35 siblings who had not suffered from severe malnutrition in their earlier life (Group III).


RESULTS
All the malnourished children showed significant improvement in weight for age. More children in Group I had better height for age compared to Group II(p>0.05). Analysis of weight for height showed that study children has better nutritional status than their siblings who had not suffered from significant malnutrition.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant improvement in nutritional status occurs with nutritional rehabilitation. However, improvement in height for age is more difficult to obtain. Interestingly, rehabilitated malnourished children on follow up had better nutritional status as compared to their siblings.
Banapurmath
C R
CR
Nutrition Rehabilitation Center, Department of Pediatrics, J.J.M. Medical College, Davangere 577 004, Karnataka, India.
Prasad
S M
SM
Banapurmath
S
S
Kesaree
N
N
D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index