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BackgroundManagement of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) plays a vital role in achieving global child survival targets. Effective treatment programmes are available but little is known about longer term outcomes following programme discharge.MethodsFrom July 2006 to March 2007, 1024 children (median age 21.5 months, IQR 15–32) contributed 1187 admission episodes to an inpatient-based SAM treatment centre in Blantyre, Malawi. Long term outcomes, were determined in a longitudinal cohort study, a year or more after initial programme discharge. We found information on 88%(899/1024).ResultsIn total, 42%(427/1024) children died during or after treatment. 25%(105/427) of deaths occurred after normal programme discharge, >90 days after admission. Mortality was greatest among HIV seropositive children: 62%(274/445). Other risk factors included age <12 months; severity of malnutrition at admission; and disability. In survivors, weight-for-height and weight-for-age improved but height-for-age remained low, mean −2.97 z-scores (SD 1.3).ConclusionsAlthough SAM mortality in this setting was unacceptably high, our findings offer important lessons for future programming, policy and research. First is the need for improved programme evaluation: most routine reporting systems would have missed late deaths and underestimated total mortality due to SAM. Second, a more holistic view of SAM is needed: while treatment will always focus on nutritional interventions, it is vital to also identify and manage underlying clinical conditions such as HIV and disability. Finally early identification and treatment of SAM should be emphasised: our results suggest that this could improve longer term as well as short term outcomes. As international policy and programming becomes increasingly focused on stunting and post-malnutrition chronic disease outcomes, SAM should not be forgotten. Proactive prevention and treatment services are essential, not only to reduce mortality in the short term but also because they have potential to impact on longer term morbidity, growth and development of survivors.

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This systematic review and meta-analysis explored HIV prevalence and mortality in children undergoing treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in sub-Saharan Africa. It included all studies reporting on HIV infection within a sample of children with SAM where HIV status was assessed using a blood test and SAM was defined using the WHO, Gomez, Wellcome or Waterlow definitions. Children from 17 studies were included in the analysis (n=4891), of whom 29.2% were HIV-infected. HIV-infected children were significantly more likely to die than HIV-uninfected children (30.4% vs. 8.4%; P<0.001; relative risk=2.81, 95% CI 2.04-3.87). HIV-negative children treated within community-based therapeutic care (CTC) programmes had lower mortality (4.3%) than those treated within an inpatient nutrition rehabilitation unit (NRU) (15.1%). There was no significant difference in mortality for HIV-infected children with SAM treated in the CTC (30.0%) or NRU (31.3%) settings. HIV prevalence is high in children with SAM in sub-Saharan Africa, and HIV-infected children are at significantly increased risk of mortality. There is an urgent need to integrate HIV testing and treatment into care for children with SAM in regions of high HIV prevalence.

This review demonstrates the complex interplay between recreational drug use, high-risk sexual practices and STIs. It identifies the description of adverse mental health outcomes in the chemsex setting, thus highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach across specialties in the management of those adversely affected. Finally, it illuminates the need for future research into perceived barriers of those who require access to support services to ensure timely and comprehensive support provision.