Progress of children with severe acute malnutrition in the malnutrition treatment centre rehabilitation program: evidence from a prospective study in Jharkhand, India.

Background: In Jharkhand, Malnutrition Treatment Centres (MTCs) have been established to provide care to children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). The study examined the effects of facility- and community based care provided as part the MTC program on children with severe acute malnutrition.

Method: A cohort of 150 children were enrolled and interviewed by trained investigators at admission, discharge, and after two months on the completion of the community-based phase of the MTC program.

Undernutrition among infants less than 6 months of age: an underestimated public health problem in India.

In India most childhood nutrition recommendations and interventions are still not focused on infants under 6 months. Secondary data analyses of National Family Health Survey-3 data from India were analysed to compare the prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight in infants less than 6 months and 6-59 months. Our results revealed that wasting was higher (31%) in infants less than 6 months (P < 0.

Acute respiratory infection and pneumonia in India: a systematic review of literature for advocacy and action: UNICEF-PHFI series on newborn and child health, India.

Background: Scaling up of evidence based management of childhood acute respiratory infection/pneumonia, is a public health priority in India, and necessitates robust literature review, for advocacy and action.

Objective: To identify, synthesize and summarize current evidence to guide scaling up of management of childhood acute respiratory infection/pneumonia in India, and identify existing knowledge gaps.

Methods: A set of ten questions pertaining to the management (prevention, treatment, and control) of childhood ARI/pneumonia was identified through a consultative process.