Recovery
The first stage of recovery from malnutrition may be an apparent paradox - a loss in weight. This is a result of reduction in the amount of oedema. Subsequently recovery is as follows:
- improvement in mood - after about two weeks
- improvement in appetite, such that the child takes food when it is presented. The child can then be fed ad lib, with increasing caloric intake.
- increase in weight over the next two weeks, which then levels off
The aim is to reach 80% of weight for the height of the child. The child can then be transferred to a diet appropriate for age.
Reference:
- Grover Z, Ee LC. Protein energy malnutrition. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2009 Oct;56(5):1055-68.
Create an account to add page annotations
Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.