Long-term prospects of malnourished children after rehabilitation at the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre of St Mary's Hospital, Mumias, Kenya

The growth and survival of children was studied after rehabilitation for malnutrition at the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) of St Mary's Hospital on average 1.5 year after discharge. The findings are intended partly to provide descriptive information on later progress in the community of these children and also to identify specific risk factors. Of 50 children eligible for follow-up, 39 (78 per cent) could be traced. Overall mortality was 36 per cent, 28 per cent were found to be underweight, and 36 per cent were in good condition with satisfactory catch up in weight. Mortality was determined by age, duration of stay in hospital and centre, and nutritional status. Most literature on the subject implies that the long-term effectiveness of the NRC is affected by limiting factors at home and in the centre itself. Our data suggest that the poor results are mainly due to improper use of the NRC. The NRC was called in too early by the hospital and children were discharged too soon from the NRC. As evidenced by the frequent presence of infectious symptoms, the severity of nutritional status, inadequate weight gain, and short duration of stay in the hospital and the NRC.