Treatment of third-degree marasmus among children admitted to Assiut University Children Hospital: a clinical audit

Introduction Optimal infant and young child feeding can be achieved easily by encouraging mothers to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months and to introduce nutritionally adequate, safe, age‑appropriate, and responsive complementary feeding starting at 6 months. Patients and methods The present study aimed to assess the degree of adherence of medical physicians to protocols for treatment of severe marasmus among children attending Assiut University Children Hospital during the period from 1 January to 30 June 2015 according to WHO guidelines (2003), which is locally approved and documented by nutrition unit of Assiut University Children Hospital as a reference standard. The study included 31 patients with third‑degree marasmus whose age ranged from 6 to 36 months. Results and conclusion Data about mid‑upper arm circumference, Z‑score, stabilization, transitional, and rehabilitation phases were not fully fulfilled. Regarding the assessment of conscious level, dehydration, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, severe anemia, shock, and types of complications, most items were fulfilled well.