Moderate Malnutrition in Children and Adults

Clinical Description

Moderate acute malnutrition in children is the presence of WFH of -3Z to <-2 Z score or

• In children 6-59 months MUAC 11.5cm to <12.5cm
• Children 5 -9 years MUAC 13.0–<14.5 cm
• Children 10 – 15 years 16.0– <18.5 cm

Children with moderate acute malnutrition have no oedema, they have good appetite and they look clinically well.

Adolescents and adults with moderate acute malnutrition have a MUAC 18.5 to <22.0cm or Body-Mass-Index (BMI) 16.0 to <17.0.

Pregnant /lactating women with moderate acute malnutrition have a MUAC of <22.0cm.

TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITH MODERATE MALNUTRITION

• Children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) with no medical complications, and has good appetite should be referred to supplementary feeding program (SFP).
• HIV positive children with acute malnutrition (moderate or severe) should be treated in OTP as they are more at-risk of death than children who are malnourished but HIV negative.

TREATMENT OF ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS WITH MODERATE MALNUTRITION

Medical treatment

• Review the patient’s medical records and condition and provide treatment or refer for

Treatment

• Pregnant women or up to 6 months post-partum should be given iron/folic acid daily up to six months post-partum.
• Pregnant women should receive malaria prophylaxis (sulfadoxine pyrimethamine) and deworming tablets (400mg of albendazole)

Non-pharmacological

• Patients with chronic disease such as HIV positive should meet the extra 20% energy using locally available nutritious food or supplement with CSB (likuni phala) or super cereal plus (CSB++).
• Adolescents require more additional energy to gain and maintain weight.