Title: Study of Prevalence of Various Cutaneous Manifestations Inchildren Suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM)
Authors: Dr Shruti Dhale, Dr Muneshwar Bhongade, Dr Sukena Susnerwala
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v4i9.63
Aims and Objectives: To study prevalence of various cutaneous manifestations in children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in the age group of 6 months to 5 years over a period of 6 months. Study Design: It was prospective observational study done over a period of 6 months conducted at a tertiary care hospital. All patients between age group of 6months to 5 years who were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition were enrolled in this study. Materials and Methods: The study was approved by the Institutional ethical committee. The patients attending the Emergency, in-patient and outpatient Departments of Pediatrics Division of ourinstitute were enrolled for the study as per the criteria given. It was a prospective, observational study conducted on children in the age group of 6 months to 5 years having severe acute malnutrition. Clinical history, anthropometry, physical examination were carried out in details in all patients. The cutaneous manifestations present in these patients were studied in detail. Results: The cutaneous manifestations were common in patients presenting with severe acute malnutrition. The Commonest manifestation was angular stomatitis/chelitis which was found to be present in 55% cases. Other manifestation included pigmentary changes, bacterial infections, flaky paint dermatosis, fungal infections, crazy pavement appearance and flag sign were present in 30%, 25%,20%,20% ,17.5% and 15% respectively. The less common features included ichthyosiform skin changes and acrodermatitis which were found in10% and 5% of patients respectively. Conclusion: Malnutrition affects almost all organ systems of body and skin is no exception to this. All patients presenting with or being treated for severe acute malnutrition should be throughly examined for any cutaneous lesion and if found it should be appropriately treated. Keywords: Severe acute malnutrition, Cutaneous manifestation, cheilitis, acrodermatitis.
Abstract
