Follow-up Kwashiorkor Patients Discharged from the Nutritional Rehabilitation Ward of the Gelukspan Community Hospital

  • Dr P Ferrinho
  • M Bac Medunsa
  • D Blaaw University of the Witwatersrand
  • W Fraser University of the Witwatersrand
  • A Kometz University of the Witwatersrand
Keywords: Kwashiorkor, Child, Follow-up Studies, Nutritional Status, Anthropometry.

Abstract

This study assessed the nutritional status of a group of children admitted with kwashiorkor to the Nutrition Rehabilitation Ward of the Gelukspan Community Hospital in 1915. Weight, height and arm circumference were measured during July I987 to assess their nutritional status and more specifically the effectiveness of nutrition rehabilitation of children with kwashiorkor in the Nutrition Rehabilitation Ward. The sample consisted of 80 children of which 71 (89%) were traced and 64 (80%) were measured. The mortality rate of the sample was less that 1%. Forty four percent of the children had a low weight for age, 75% were stunted 2% were acutely malnourished and none were severely malnourished. The applications for further research and programme development are discussed.

Author Biographies

Dr P Ferrinho
MBChB, DTM&H, MSC (MED) Alexandra Health Centre and University Clinic and Institute for Urban Primary Health Care
M Bac, Medunsa
Arts, M Prax Med, MD Gold Fields Nutrition Centre, Institute of Human Nutrition
D Blaaw, University of the Witwatersrand
Third Year Medical Students, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine
W Fraser, University of the Witwatersrand
Third Year Medical Students, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine
A Kometz, University of the Witwatersrand
Third Year Medical Students, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine
Published
2012-02-15
Issue
Vol 13 No 4 (1992)
Section
Original Research
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