Abordaje práctico y manejo de la desnutrición en niños de países en vías de desarrollo y experiencia profesional en un hospital rural de la República Democrática del Congo

Malnutrition is still a significant worldwide health problem and is responsible for at least a third of the deaths of children under 5 years-old in the Third World. The magnitude of the problem makes it necessary to properly approach it, and this includes preventive and curative aspects.

This article is an attempt to review the proper management of malnutrition in the third world by distinguishing it from hospital management of complicated severe acute malnutrition and from outpatient treatment of uncomplicated severe malnutrition.

In parallel with the theoretical aspects, reference will be made to the professional experience of one of the authors as the person in charge of a rural hospital's paediatric service in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 3 years, a service on which a nutrition centre depended.