Published online Dec 9, 2024. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v13.i4.91971
Revised: August 4, 2024
Accepted: October 8, 2024
Published online: December 9, 2024
Processing time: 293 Days and 5.4 Hours
Childhood malnutrition contributes over half of the childhood mortality around the world, predominantly in South-Asian and sub-Saharan countries.
To summarize the childhood malnutrition epidemiology along with the comorbid factors associated with it and its management within the community.
The data collection process involved conducting a comprehensive search using specific keywords such as child nutrition disorders and India with Boolean operators. The search was conducted in the Scopus and PubMed electronic databases.
Inadequate energy consumption initiates pathological alterations in the form of growth retardation, fat, visceral, and muscle loss, a reduction in basal metabolic rate, and a significant reduction in total energy expenditure. It has become evident that malnutrition shows an increased prevalence and incidence rate, despite available guidelines for the management of malnutrition.
Malnutrition can be a major player in the establishment of severe infections that result in significant post discharge mortalities in children. Future trials are required to fill the prime gaps in knowledge regarding the identification of other contributory factors in the pathogenesis of malnutrition and post-discharge infection. New biomarkers for early detection of malnutrition should be the priority of the scientific community for the early management of malnutrition.
Core Tip: Childhood malnutrition, a leading cause of global childhood mortality, especially in South-Asian and sub-Saharan countries, demands urgent attention. This review consolidates malnutrition epidemiology, its associated factors, and community-based management. Despite available guidelines, inadequate energy intake leads to severe complications. Addressing knowledge gaps and identifying new biomarkers are pivotal for effective early detection and management of malnutrition-induced severe infections in children.