Konshens E., 1

Konshens is a one-year-old boy living with his teenage mother and paternal grandparents. His father left for the city in search of work but has never made contact since. The mother, having dropped out of school, is unemployed, and the family relies on the grandparents, who are peasant farmers and take on occasional menial jobs to survive. They all live in a modest two-room mud house along with seven other children. According to his mother, Konshens began experiencing episodes of vomiting and fever. Hoping for improvement, she gave him salty water, but his condition did not get better. After a week of persistent symptoms, she sought help at Segere Dispensary, where he was given paracetamol syrup; a malaria test was conducted but returned negative. The following Monday, his mother noticed that Konshens’ legs had become swollen and he was unable to bear weight on it. His fever had also intensified. On Tuesday, she remained at home, trying to borrow money from neighbors and friends to afford transportation. On Wednesday, she finally managed to take him to the hospital, where he was received at the emergency department for further evaluation and care.

Konshens was brought to the hospital with complaints of unresolved fever and episodes of vomiting. He was diagnosed with pneumonia, anaemia, severe malaria and malnutrition and had to be admitted. He was administred treatment to which he responded well. He was later discharged on Ranferon to boost his blood count, AL (an antimalarial drug, paracetamol, and amoxyl to take at home. A visit to their home revealed that Konshens was okay and was feeding well able to play and had gained some weight .

The prognosis for a 1-year-old with malnutrition depends on the severity and duration of the malnutrition, as well as the availability and effectiveness of treatment. While malnutrition is treatable, some effects, like stunted growth or cognitive delays, can be permanent, even after rehabilitation. The prognosis for pneumonia is generally good when treated promptly and effectively.