An assessment of outcomes of the nutritional supplementation programme of children at Prince Mshiyeni memorial hospital, Umlazi, Kwazulu Natal

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Medicine) in the field of Community Paediatrics Johannesburg 2015Aim: Malnutrition, specifically undernutrition, contributes to a reduction in potential for childhood growth and development, and an increase in morbidity and mortality. This study seeks to investigate whether sufficient weight gain is achieved using the existing nutrition supplementation programme offered by the Dietetics Department at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study with analytical components was undertaken. Data from children receiving nutritional supplementation was extracted from an existing database belonging to the Dietetics Department. Factors influencing weight for length/ height (WL/HZ) and BMI for age z-scores (BMIAZ), and the change in anthropometric indicators, social factors, food security, reported symptoms and nutrition risk score were analysed for significance. Results: All Anthropometric indicators, except length/height for age z-scores (L/HAZ), showed positive significant (p<0.001) change over the first month of being in the programme. Between baseline and month six, significant positive changes were found for weight for age z-score (WAZ) (p<0.001), WL/HZ (p=0.004), and BMIAZ (p=0.028). It is clear the programme had a significant influence on BMIAZ and WL/HZ over time, p<0.001 from baseline to month one, and p