Growth of Nigerian children with marasmus after hospital treatment.

The growth of 38 Nigerian children who had suffered from marasmus was studied for five years after hospital treatment. In spite of health and nutritional education provided to the mothers, most of the children did not catch up in growth by the end of this period. Three children died within the first two years. Only one child attained a height above the 50th percentile, and two gained weight above the 50th percentile, using Nigerian standards. The head circumference measurements of only four children were above the 50th percentile of the Nellhaus chart after five years. Lack of sustained nutritional support due to the low socioeconomic status of the families to which the children returned after treatment and poor environmental stimulation were the major factors responsible for the stunting of growth. The early age of onset of marasmus in some of these children suggests that the syndrome is a sequel to low birth weight complicated by infections and inadequate feeding. In view of the poor long-term prognosis of marasmus, emphasis should be on prevention through health education and improvement of maternal and child health services.