Community based nutritional rehabilitation of severely malnourished children.

OBJECTIVE To improve nutrition of malnourished children in the community, using home based treatment. METHODS A prospective cohort study was conducted in a squatter settlement of Karachi (Khuda Ki Basti). The study was conducted from August 2006 to March 2007. All children <5 years who were <-3sd weight for height were included as per WHO guidelines. After initial screening for complications, the children were provided with high density diet (HDD). Daily weight, amount of HDD consumed and complications were recorded. RESULTS A total of 24 children were included in the study. Eleven children (45.8%) reached - 1SD at the end of 3 months while 10 patients (41.6%) took 4 months. Twenty two patients (91.6%) were at the median weight for height by the end of 5 months. CONCLUSION Home based treatment with locally available foods can be used successfully to rehabilitate severely malnourished children.