Fact Check: "Severe acute malnutrition increases child mortality risk by over 10 times."
What We Know
Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a critical condition that significantly impacts child mortality rates. According to a study conducted in Zimbabwe and Zambia, malnutrition underlies approximately 45% of deaths in children under five years of age annually, with children hospitalized for complicated SAM exhibiting high mortality rates (Sturgeon et al., 2023) [source-1]. The study found that children with SAM had an inpatient mortality rate of about 9.4%, with various factors contributing to this risk, including age, presence of edema, and underlying infections.
In a broader analysis involving multiple countries, it was reported that children with SAM defined by both low mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and low weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) had an eightfold increased risk of mortality compared to well-nourished children (Schwinger et al., 2019) [source-2]. This indicates that while SAM significantly elevates mortality risk, the exact multiplier can vary based on the specific indicators used for diagnosis.
Analysis
The claim that severe acute malnutrition increases child mortality risk by over 10 times is supported by evidence, but it requires careful interpretation. The study by Schwinger et al. found that children with both low MUAC and low WHZ had an eightfold increase in mortality risk compared to those without malnutrition. This figure is substantial but does not reach the "over 10 times" threshold mentioned in the claim.
Moreover, the study by Sturgeon et al. highlighted that the mortality rates for children with complicated SAM can range from 10% to 40% in various settings, suggesting that while the risk is significantly elevated, it is context-dependent and influenced by multiple factors, including the healthcare environment and the presence of co-morbidities such as infections (Sturgeon et al., 2023) [source-1].
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are peer-reviewed studies published in reputable medical journals. However, the variability in reported mortality rates across different studies and regions indicates that the claim's accuracy may depend on specific circumstances and definitions used in different contexts.
Conclusion
The claim that severe acute malnutrition increases child mortality risk by over 10 times is Partially True. While evidence supports that SAM significantly elevates the risk of mortality in children—often by substantial multiples—the specific figure of "over 10 times" is not consistently supported across studies. The actual increase in risk can vary, with some studies reporting lower multipliers. Therefore, while SAM is a critical risk factor for child mortality, the claim should be contextualized within the broader spectrum of malnutrition-related mortality data.
Sources
- Risk factors for inpatient mortality among children with ... Link
- Severe acute malnutrition and mortality in children in the ... Link
- Recovery rate of severe acute malnutrition and its predictors ... Link
- Child mortality (under 5 years) Link
- Netflix App no download option - Microsoft Community Link
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- Child alert: Severe wasting Link
