Anthropometric recovery of children 6-59 months with complicated severe acute malnutrition, treated in public hospitals of Sana’a City

Background: The management of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in inpatient therapeutic feeding centers (TFCs) is a life-saving intervention for children 6-59 months in Yemen.

Aims: To evaluate the anthropometric recovery of children admitted to the TFCs and transferred to complete treatment in outpatient programs (OTPs) of Sana’a City Public Hospitals.

Methods: A prospective follow-up study for children admitted to TFCs from September 2023 to April 2024 was conducted. The anthropometry measurements of the Weight-for-Height Z score (WHZ) and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) were calculated and used to follow the progression in recovery until the discharge from OTPs. 

Results: Of the total 150 children admitted to TFCs, 48 (32%) were males, and 75 (50%) were aged 6-<12 months; 99 (66%) had both WHZ <-3 and MUAC <11.5); 25 (17%) had WHZ <-3; and 26 (17%) had MUAC<11.5 cm. At the point of transfer from TFCs, 72% (108) were with SAM, and 28% (42/150) with Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). At discharge from OTP, 19% (28/150) were with non-acute malnutrition (NAM); the progression to NAM was among 48% (20/42) and 7% (8/108) of children transferred with MAM and SAM, P value (<0.001).

In conclusion, 88% (132/150) of children transferred from TFCs were discharged as cured from OTP, 21% (28/132) of them were anthropometrically recovered, and 79% were prematurely discharged.