WiRED International Releases Severe Malnutrition Module

BY ALLISON KOZICHAROW, EDITED BY BERNICE BORN

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iRED International announces the addition of a training module on severe malnutrition to our Community Health Information e-library.

 

Malnutrition contributes to 35% of child deaths, although it is often not listed as the direct cause. Children with acute malnutrition are among the most vulnerable people in the world. In creating our newest module, WiRED responded to that general knowledge but most immediately to the growing specter of malnutrition in Syria.

 

In addition to conflict and the threat of diseases such as polio, Syria’s children face severe malnutrition. WiRED recently learned about malnutrition problems in Syria and discovered that many physicians, nurses and health workers are unfamiliar with proper treatment procedures for a condition that few have ever seen.

 

Signs of Severe Malnutrition

  • Very low birth weight
  • Visible severe wasting
  • Presence of nutritional edema (swelling caused by insufficient protein)
  • Receiving inadequate breast feeding and the wrong foods
  • Lack of appetite
  • Infection (e.g., frequent or persistent diarrhea, pneumonia)
  • Medical complications

Source: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) created a carefully designed approach with which to treat children with malnutrition, but those protocols aren’t well known. WiRED has adapted the WHO guidelines and procedures into a module for easy access and review by way of the Internet and portable media. The module, which offers a considerable amount of technical information, specifically targets physicians and nurses.

 

Malnourished children do not respond to medical treatment in the same way as if they were well-nourished; even feeding them wrongly can lead to heart failure and death, according to WHO. Steps for treating malnutrition include giving antibiotics, vitamins and vaccinations; feeding with low-calorie, high-nutrient milk; and adding nutrients, such as Plumpy’nut, a peanut paste, or a high-energy milk.

 


From WiRED's Severe Malnutrition module,
Arabic translation.

WiRED’s module presents a thorough training program on severe malnutrition that describes in diagrams and text the condition’s signs, associated ailments, treatment and recovery, and explains as well the importance of emotional support and therapy. Moreover, the module is also available in Arabic.

 

WiRED’s geographic focus at present is Syria and other refugee camps in the Middle East, but malnutrition plagues people in many developing regions we serve. Decreasing child mortality and improving maternal health depend heavily on reducing malnutrition. As in so many conditions, established knowledge can save human life. Familiarity with these procedures regarding severe malnutrition can save starving children.

 

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