Protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) in Egypt: infants socio-economic parameters
Yehya, S.A.; Said, A.; el-Hawary, M.F.; Sakr, R.
Journal of the Egyptian Medical Association 60(3-4): 217-229
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0013-2411 PMID: 416058 Document Number: 117861
In 112 girls and 120 boys 3 to 30 months old with malnutrition at a hospital in Cairo, 51 had kwashiorkor, 99 marasmus, 5 nutritional oedema and 77 marasmic kwashiorkor. Disease incidence was at 6 to 15 months 42.7%, 18 to 20 months 17.7% and above 24 months 26.3%. It was highest in boys below, and in girls above, 12 months old. Contributory factors were believed to be an inadequate diet rich in carbohydrates and low in protein and seasonal disorders before the onset of malnutrition. There were indications of gastroenteritis in 91%, respiratory disorders in 69%, measles in 23% and other disorders in 3.9%. Malnutrition was most frequent in the first 3 children in a family (30, 20 and 18% of the cases, respectively), and decreased with increasing birth order. Death rate of the infants was 43.6%, 62 boys and 39 girls. Death rate for marasmic kwashiorkor was 55.8%, kwashiorkor 39.2%, marasmus 38.4% and oedema 0%. Retardation of teething, walking and speech in affected infants was 56, 69 and 58%, respectively.