Abstract

AGUILAR L., Ana Maria et al. Evaluation of the severe malnourished children under five years of age. Rev. bol. ped. [online]. 2005, vol.44, n.1, pp.4-10. ISSN 1024-0675.

Objectives: To evaluate case management of severely undernourished children less than five years of age treated in Hospitals Bolivano Holandes and “Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uria” and the networks of the cities of El Alto and La Paz - Bolivia Design: A retrospective review of clinical records belonging to patients admitted with severely under nutrition during years 2001-2002 at Hospital “Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uria” and 2001-2003 at Hospital Boliviano Holandés was done. Additionally an analysis to determine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the municipal health network was performed alongside with observations of in-patients admitted for severe undernutrition during January 2004 to verify fulfilment of back referral. Place: Cities of La Paz and El Alto - Bolivia in establishments of the Regional Health Authority. Subjects: Clinical reports of patients and participation of health staff. Results: A total of 137 clinical reports were reviewed, 89% of them fulfilled WHO criteria for severely undernourished. Lack of some data restricted the elaboration of some indicators among them velocity of weight gain, prevalence of under nourishment and case fatality rates. Hospital “Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uria” showed a better application of the 10 steps, while in Hospital Boliviano Holandes those are not utilised. The networks referral and back referral is initial with important deficiencies in equipment, communication and transport, however the presence of public health insurance and the demarcation of the networks were seen as promising factors for the future. Back referral was found inexistent. Conclusions: The study recommends to improve the care for the severely undernourished both at the reference hospitals and the municipal network. On should consider actions taken in other countries and facilities for clinical training offered by the WHO standard course.

Keywords : Severe under nutrition; Severe under nutrition case management.

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