Effect of Nutritional Rehabilitation on Neurodevelopmental Status of Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM): Nutritional Rehabilitation and Neurodevelopment in SAM

Tufail Ahmed Soomro; . Bela; Ubedullah Bahalkani; Rizwana Qureshi; Nizamuddin Bozdar; Waqar Ahmed

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v7i9.4195

Authors

Tufail Ahmed Soomro Department of Pediatrics, Ghulam Mohammad Mahar Medical College, Sukkur, Pakistan
. Bela Department of Neonatology, Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology, Karachi, Pakistan
Ubedullah Bahalkani Department of Pediatrics, Khairpur Medical College, Khairpur Mir’s, Pakistan
Rizwana Qureshi Department of Pediatrics, Ghulam Mohammad Mahar Medical College, Sukkur, Pakistan
Nizamuddin Bozdar Department of Pediatrics, Khairpur Medical College, Khairpur Mir’s, Pakistan
Waqar Ahmed Department of Pediatrics, Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v7i9.4195

Keywords:

Severe Acute Malnutrition, Nutritional Rehabilitation, Neurodevelopment, Child Development

Abstract

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a major public health problem in children, contributing to high morbidity, mortality, and impaired neurodevelopment. While nutritional rehabilitation improves survival and physical growth, its effect on cognitive, motor, language, and social development remains inadequately explored. Objective: To evaluate the impact of nutritional rehabilitation on neurodevelopmental outcomes in children aged 1–6 years with SAM. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted over six months in the Department of Paediatrics of Khairpur Medical College, Sindh. A total of 150 children aged 1–6 years diagnosed with SAM (according to WHO criteria: weight-for-height Z-score < −3 SD or mid-upper arm circumference < 11.5 cm) were enrolled. Participants received eight weeks of standardized nutritional rehabilitation, including therapeutic feeding and micronutrient supplementation, along with management of associated complications. Anthropometric parameters and neurodevelopmental domains (cognitive, motor, language, and social) were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23, applying paired t-tests and chi-square tests, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Significant improvements were observed in weight (7.3 ± 1.4 vs. 9.2 ± 1.6 kg), MUAC (10.4 ± 0.9 vs. 12.5 ± 1.1 cm), and weight-for-height Z-score (−3.42 ± 0.51 vs. −2.18 ± 0.47) (p < 0.001). Neurodevelopmental scores improved significantly across all domains (p < 0.001). The proportion of children with normal development increased from 20.0% to 53.3%, while moderate developmental delay decreased from 33.3% to 14.7%. Conclusions: Nutritional rehabilitation significantly improves both growth and neurodevelopment in children with SAM. Early identification and timely intervention are crucial for optimal developmental recovery.

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