Thapa, AnilShah, Gauri ShankarMishra, Om P2026-03-192026-03-192015https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14572/5232Anil Thapa Department of Paediatrics, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan Gauri Shankar Shah Department of Paediatrics, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan Om P Mishra Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, VaranasiAbstract: Introduction: Malnutrition is a common problem in developing countries and often associated with co-morbidities. The present study was undertaken with objectives of to find out the comorbidities in children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Materials and Methods: This was a hospital based study carried in 77 children with SAM, diagnosed on the basis of WHO criteria. Results: The age group of children was 1- 5 years (median age 23 months) with about 39% between 1- 2 years. There were 38 males (49.3%). Low maternal education (60%), overcrowding (60%), lower- middle socioeconomic status (87%) were some of the predisposing factors observed. Pneumonia (51%), acute gastroenteritis (21%) and bacterial meningitis (8%) were common co- morbidities found. Associated abnormal laboratory parameters found were anemia (60%), leucocytosis (38%), hyboalbuminemia (36%) hyponetremia (31%), and hypokalemia (17%). Conclusion: Presence of infections and biochemical abnormalities require urgent attention in SAM cases and appropriate treatment in a hospital setting to improve their survival.en-USSevere acute malnutritionCo-morbiditiesLaboratory abnormalitiesArticle