title: A follow-up experience of 6 months after treatment of children with severe acute malnutrition in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As there is lack of information about what happens to children after recovery from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), we report their relapse, morbidity, mortality and referral during follow-up period.
  
  
  METHODS
  From February 2001 to November 2003, 180 children completing acute and nutrition rehabilitation (NR) phases of protocolized management were advised for 6-months follow-up. The mean (SD) age was 12 (5) months, 55% were infants, 53% were male and 68% were breast-fed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The follow-up compliance rate dropped from 91% at first to 49% at tenth visit. The common morbidities following discharge included fever (26%), cough (24%) and diarrhoea (20%). Successful follow-up done in 124 children [68.9% (95% CI 61.8-75.2%)], partial follow-up in 45 [25% (95% CI 19.2-31.8%)], relapse in 32 [17.8% (95% CI 12.9-24%)] and 5 [2.8% (95% CI 1.2-6.3%)] died.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings highlight need for follow-up as part of overall management of SAM and recommend an effective community follow-up.
authors: International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research (ICDDR), Clinical Sciences Division, Bangladesh. ashrafh@icddrb.org
authors: Hasan
authors: H
authors: Ashraf
authors: Nur H
authors: NH
authors: Alam
authors: Mohammod J
authors: MJ
authors: Chisti
authors: Sayeda R
authors: SR
authors: Mahmud
authors: Md I
authors: MI
authors: Hossain
authors: Tahmeed
authors: T
authors: Ahmed
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Salam
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Gyr
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000886:Anthropometry; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D003631:Day Care, Medical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009017:Morbidity; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012008:Recurrence; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014505:Urban Population