[Nutritional status of children treated for severe malaria in hospital settings in Haut-Katanga (Democratic Republic of Congo)].

This study assessed the nutritional status of children under five years of age admitted and treated for malaria in hospital settings in the cities of Lubumbashi and Likasi. The purpose of this study was to describe the nutritional profile of these children based on anthropometric measurements. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in the Haut-Katanga province in southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Children under 60 months of age with a positive diagnosis of malaria, biologically confirmed by a positive RDT and/or a positive thick blood smear, were included. The incidence of malaria was 34.3%. The overall prevalence of acute malnutrition (moderate to severe) was 32.9%, predominantly represented by severe acute malnutrition (27.5%). Acute malnutrition was more frequent in its moderate form (67.1%) and was observed across nearly all age groups. Overweight was identified in 13.9% of children, including 8.5% with severe overweight. A consistently significant association was observed. This study focused on the nutritional status of children under 5 years of age admitted and monitored for malaria in hospital settings in the cities of Lubumbashi and Likasi. The objective was to outline the nutritional profile of these children based on anthropometric measurements. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the Haut-Katanga province, in the southeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Included were children under 60 months of age with a positive diagnosis of malaria, biologically confirmed by a positive rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and/or a positive thick blood smear. The incidence of malaria was 34.3%. The overall prevalence of acute malnutrition (moderate to severe) was 32.9%, mainly represented by severe malnutrition at 27.5%. Acute malnutrition was more prevalent in its moderate form (67.1%), but was present in almost all age categories. Overweight was observed in 13.9% of children, with severe overweight in 8.5% of children. A consistently significant association was observed between moderate to severe underweight (Z-score <-2 SD), moderate to severe stunting (Z-score <-2 SD), moderate to severe acute malnutrition (Z-score <-2 SD), and uncomplicated malaria rather than severe malaria. There is a relatively high frequency of cases of underweight, wasting, and stunting, often higher than that documented in the general population. Impact studies are needed to establish a potential causal link.