Implementing the WHO guidelines for severe malnutrition: why do some hospitals succeed but others do not?

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is an important cause of child death in hospitals in developing countries. Causes partly include inappropriate treatment. WHO has developed guidelines to improve the quality of in-patient care. A program of training, support and advocacy to implement the guidelines has been initiated in the poorest region of South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, which has a high HIV prevalence and is one of the most under-resourced provinces.