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Global:

Severe malnutrition tackled with joint care approach

A new approach to tackle malnutrition that combines community–based care with traditional hospital–based treatment has shown progress in dealing with severe acute malnutrition, which affects an estimated 20 million children under–the–age of five worldwide, says the World Health Organization [WHO].

According to the WHO, the United Nations [UN] World Food Programme, the UN Committee on nutrition and UNICEF reports that about three–quarters of children with severe acute malnutrition, those who have a good appetite and no medical complications, can be treated at home with highly fortified, ready–to–use therapeutic foods [RUTFs].

These are soft, palatable and crushable foods rich in nutrients and energy that can be eaten by children over the age of six months without the need to add water, which reduces the risk of bacterial infection. RUTFs provide the nutrients required to treat a severely malnourished child at home, without refrigeration, and even where hygiene conditions are not perfect.

The technology to produce RUTFs is relatively simple and could be used in all countries with high levels of severe acute malnutrition.

When implemented on a large scale and properly combined with hospital treatment for children with complications, community–based management of severe acute malnutrition could prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths each year says the WHO. Survival rates in countries, such as Ethiopia, Malawi, Niger and Sudan have greatly improved since the introduction of this treatment and the aim now is to expand this approach to reach larger numbers of children who live in areas untouched by emergencies.

For further information visit the WHO website at: www.who.int.

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