Malnutrition Among Infants Under Six Months in Rumbek, South Sudan: A Retrospective Analysis of Feeding Practices and Associated Risk Factors

@article{1724193,
      author = {Prof. Nebiyu Lera Alaro},
      title = {Malnutrition Among Infants Under Six Months in Rumbek, South Sudan: A Retrospective Analysis of Feeding Practices and Associated Risk Factors},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {10},
      number = {4},
      pages = {3063-3069},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1724193.pdf},
      abstract = {Background: Malnutrition in infants younger than six months is an important but frequently under-recognized clinical and public health problem. During this period, infants depend predominantly on breast milk, and disruption of breastfeeding may rapidly compromise nutritional status. This study described the characteristics, feeding-related problems, and documented risk factors among malnourished infants younger than six months managed in an outpatient nutrition clinic in Rumbek, South Sudan.
Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using routine clinical records from a specialized outpatient clinic for malnourished infants younger than six months. Seventy-two infants were included. Information on age, sex, clinic attendance, presenting problems, feeding practices, and documented maternal or infant-related risk factors was extracted from clinical records. Anthropometric assessment included weight, length, weight-for-length Z score, and mid-upper arm circumference. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.
Results: Among 72 infants, 37 (51.4%) were male and 35 (48.6%) were female. The mean documented age was 3.64 months; age was missing for seven infants (9.7%). Twenty-four infants (33.3%) presented with reported insufficient breast milk and five (6.9%) with weight loss, while the presenting medical complaint was incompletely documented for 43 (59.7%). Feeding-related risk factors were documented for 44 infants (61.1%). Among all 72 infants, maternal death and maternal breast-related problems each affected 10 infants (13.9%), early use of other feeds affected nine (12.5%), multiple birth or prematurity affected eight (11.1%), and primigravidity affected seven (9.7%); 28 records (38.9%) did not specify a risk factor. Thirty infants (41.7%) were documented as successfully discharged or transferred for continued age-appropriate nutrition care.
Conclusion: Suboptimal breastfeeding and circumstances that interfere with effective breastfeeding were prominent documented features among malnourished infants in this clinic. Maternal death, breast problems, early introduction of non-breast-milk feeds, multiple birth or prematurity, and first pregnancy were commonly recorded. The high proportion of incomplete records limits causal interpretation. Strengthening lactation support, maternal and newborn care, early identification of feeding difficulties, and standardized clinical documentation may improve care for nutritionally vulnerable infants younger than six months.},
      keywords = {infants under six months; infant malnutrition; severe acute malnutrition; breastfeeding; exclusive breastfeeding; infant and young child feeding; maternal health; lactation support; nutrition; Rumbek; South Sudan},
      month = {October},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I4-1724193}
  }