Guideline
Guideline: updates on the management of severe acute malnutrition in infants and children
- Fluids and electrolytes
- Gastrointestinal and nutrition
- Infection and sepsis
- Medical
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Renal and metabolic
This guideline is from 2013, more than five years ago. Check whether a newer version exists and which version your unit follows.
Summary
WHO guidance updating the 1999 recommendations on managing severe acute malnutrition in infants and children, aimed largely at resource-limited settings. It covers identification using anthropometry and bilateral pitting oedema, admission and discharge criteria for children aged 6-59 months, choice of inpatient versus outpatient care, antibiotic and vitamin A use, therapeutic feeding and fluid/rehydration management. Specific sections address HIV-infected children and infants under 6 months. The authors note the underpinning evidence was generally of very low quality, with research gaps identified; relevance to PICU is mainly for feeding and fluid decisions in complicated malnutrition.
Summary written for PICUlearn. Always read the original.
- Licence:
- Summary and link only
Guidelines are shown for education. Follow your unit's own guidance and senior advice.