FREQUENCY OF REFEEDING SYNDROME IN CHILDREN HAVING SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION FORM AGE OF 06 MONTH TO 59 MONTH PRESENTING IN NUTRITIONAL STABILIZATION CENTRE AT LIAQUAT UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCE

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of Refeeding Syndrome in children aged 6 to 59 months diagnosed with SAM.

Study Design: Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Place and Duration of Study: Nutritional Stabilization Centre at Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Hyderabad, From Dec, 20-2024 to Mar,19-2025.

Methodology: There was a cross-sectional study used in the study of 160 children who fulfilled WHO criteria of SAM. The anthropometric, sociodemographic, and clinical data were taken. Serum sodium, potassium, magnesium and phosphate were performed in laboratory studies. Refeeding Syndrome was identified as being present with one or more of the following: hypophosphatemia (<2.5 mg/dL), hypokalemia (<3.5 mg/dL) or hypomagnesemia (<1.8 mg/dL). The processing of the data was carried out with the help of SPSS. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to examine normalcy. Categorical independent variables were provided as frequencies and percentages and post-stratification chi-square were used, and the results with p < 0.05 were deemed to be significant.

Results: The median age of the children was 32 months (IQR: 21–46 months), and the number of girls and boys was evenly distributed. Most of the children were in the low socioeconomic status bracket (58.1 %) and of rural origin (53.1%). The prevalence of Refeeding Syndrome was registered in 127 children (79.4%), which is much higher than that of the estimates worldwide. Low MUAC score, poor maternal education and low socioeconomic status were commonly related with electrolyte abnormalities.

Conclusion: In early nutrition rehabilitation, it is frightening that Refeeding Syndrome is very common in youngsters experiencing SAM. The results emphasize the necessity of close electrolyte management strategies and biochemical monitoring that should be started early. Properly reinforced clinician awareness and incorporation of electrolyte correction as part of regular SAM care pathway can minimize the number of preventable deaths through the first 72-hour period of feeding.