The Mainstay of management is adequate diet rich in protein and calorie.
The sources of protein in Protein Energy Malnutrition Include milk, egg, fish and crayfish.
If there is diarrhoea, lactose free milk such as isomil is preferred.
Sources of calorie are pap, quaker oat, corn meal and soya beans.
In mild Protein Energy Malnutrition, Ensure the diet is balanced. It is necessary to avoid pepper.
Patient should be given the following:
Pap + Soya beans + Milk.
Add one tea spoonful of palm oil.
Add one teaspoonful of ground crayfish.
If appetite improves, normal balanced diet is introduced.
In severe Protein Energy Malnutrition, Patient with diarrhoea Should be given the following:
IVF 5% D/Water 500ml + 1/2 str. Darrow’s 500ml
papa + soya beans + isomil
pap + soya beans + milk
Add one tea spoonful of palm oil.
Add one teaspoonful of ground crayfish.
You can add balanced foods like COMPLAN and CASILAN.
However, the doctor should be consulted before using them.
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1. Treat Infection with broad spectrum antibiotic.
2. Routine Antimalarial should be taken.
3. Vitamin A is very important.
COMPLICATIONS OF PROTEIN ENERGY MALNUTRITION (PEM)
- Malabsorption
- Stunted growth
- Mental retardation
PREVENTION OF PROTEIN ENERGY MALNUTRITION (PEM)
1. Good maternal And Child health.
2. Adequate Immunization.
3. Adequate breast feeding for at least six months with the need to supplement, when necessary.
4. Family Planning
5. There is need to grow more food.