Introduction: The refeeding programme in government hospitals is aimed at
improving the nutritional status of malnourished children with weight-for-height
z-score (WHZ) below -2.0, using special therapeutic food. However, there is a lack of
data on the nutritional status of indigenous (Orang Asli) children when they return
to the community after hospital discharge. Case presentation: A 3-year-old Temiar
boy residing in a tribal village in Hulu Perak was visited to determine his nutritional
status following discharge from a refeeding programme in a government hospital.
He was admitted to the hospital with a weight of 10.0 kg, height of 85.5 cm and
WHZ of -2.09. The boy was later discharged weighing 11.0 kg, and with height
unchanged at 85.5 cm and WHZ of -0.87. During our visit to the child’s home
three months after discharge, his weight was 9.5 kg, height 86.0 cm, and WHZ
–2.91. Discussion: The management of the case in the hospital was based on
the Malnourished Orang Asli Protocols of the hospital. Household food insecurity,
feeding and care practices, unhealthy household environment and the lack of
communication between hospital and community health services were all identified
as risk factors for malnutrition. Conclusion: The recurrence of malnutrition in this
child, after successful improvement during hospital stay, highlights the importance
of identifying factors that may affect nutritional status after hospital discharge. This
knowledge will be beneficial in planning specific interventions, especially for Orang
Asli children, living in remote villages.