Predictors of in-hospital mortality among under-five children with severe acute malnutrition in South-Western Uganda.

The in-hospital mortality in U5s with SAM was lower than that previously reported in central Uganda. Intravenous fluid administration significantly predicted overall in-hospital mortality. While Administration of intravenous fluids is still the main stay of managing severely malnourished children with shock, more research needs to be conducted in order to review the parameters presently used to assess children for shock with a view of diagnosing and managing shock in these children when it is still early. Adequate guidance on use of IV fluids in management of severely malnourished children should be prioritized during continuous medical education for healthcare workers and in the treatment guidelines.