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Severe malnutrition has been and is a serious problem of concern to the whole society. Because it affects the long-term development of a generation. Complications of malnutrition seriously affect the health, development, and even the lives of children.
1. Severe malnutrition
Severe malnutrition is a condition in which children have growth retardation due to a lack of micronutrients, proteins and necessary energy for the body. The age at risk of malnutrition is from 6 months to 2 years old. The above condition negatively affects the development of height, weight, and function of body parts.
Suy dinh dưỡng gây ảnh hưởng đến sự phát triển của trẻ
2. Manifestations of severe malnutrition
Children with severe malnutrition will show symptoms such as:
2.1. edematous malnutrition (kwashiorkor)
Children with edematous malnutrition will have severe weight loss despite the swelling of the body. Brown pigmented skin is prone to ulcers and infections. Severely malnourished children with edema often cry, anorexia, and have loose or raw stools. Children do not enjoy participating in fun activities.
2.2. Undernutrition (marasmus)
This emaciated malnourished child has a thin figure, an old, wrinkled face. Frequent occurrence of diarrhea, poor appetite, mental fatigue, weakness,...
Trẻ bị suy dinh dưỡng thể gầy đét thường bị suy nhược nghiêm trọng
2.3. Combined body (marasmus - kwashiorkor)
The body state of combined malnutrition is a combination of edema and emaciation, that is, the child has a thin body but has severe edema. Children will have symptoms of poor appetite and digestive disorders.
3. Dangerous complications of severe malnutrition
Below are the complications that children may face when suffering from severe malnutrition:
The weakened immune system facilitates invading infections such as tuberculosis, respiratory infections. At the same time, diseases such as atrophy of the thymus, amygdala, spleen and other lymphoid organizations appear. Slow growth manifests as low height Dementia, poor concentration due to lack of micronutrients. Degenerative liver function The pancreatic and mucosal cells are atrophied, the villi are almost completely damaged, and nutrient absorption is reduced due to decreased digestive enzymes. Severe malnutrition causes myocardial atrophy, cold and purple extremities, difficulty in palpation, protein metabolism, water and electrolyte metabolism MORE: Diet, care for children with stunting
Suy dinh dưỡng nặng có thể gây suy giảm chức năng gan
4. Treatment of severe malnutrition
The treatment of severely malnourished children is urgent. When noticing signs of severe malnutrition, parents need to immediately take the child to the hospital for treatment. If this situation is prolonged, the child will appear complications such as: hypoglycemia, electrolyte disturbances, brain damage, even death due to infection.
Besides, the doctor will ask parents to change the child's diet. The principle of feeding will be divided into many small meals during the day, the food should be eaten from dilute to solid form. Besides, parents should also gradually increase the amount of food and calories each day. The number of calories increases steadily and is based on the child's body weight.
In case the child has anorexia, a tube or gastric tube can be used to pump the child to eat. Daily complementary foods for children include: oil, sugar, cereal powder combined with fish meat,... Strengthening supplement of juice for children.
Severe malnutrition complications can seriously affect the health and comprehensive development of children. Therefore, when children show signs of severe malnutrition, parents should take their children to medical centers for examination and advice on effective treatment.
With many years of experience in examining and treating diseases in children, now the Pediatrics Department at Vinmec International General Hospital has become one of the major health care centers, capable of examining , screening and treatment of many specialized diseases in children. Therefore, if the child shows signs of severe malnutrition, parents can take the child to Vinmec International General Hospital for examination and receive support and advice from doctors and nutritionists.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
