Nutrition Rehabilitation Units. A Transkeian experiment
Beach, H.; Lwana, P.
South African Medical Journal 48(52): 2177-2180
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 4547865 Document Number: 72424
Children are referred to the unit depending on the severity of the kwashiorkor. X-rays and blood samples are taken, and the mother is interviewed about such details as income and family background. While resident in the unit, mothers are encouraged to live normal lives, but at the same time they are instructed in the growing and cooking of food, as well as the rearing of chickens and home budgeting. Of 170 children who passed through the unit during this study, 16 died, 13 were transferred to hospital and the others were discharged in a satisfactory state. There are no provisions for follow-up checks, and researchers must rely on the mothers' returning to the unit for infant weight checks and the issue of protein foods.