For children admitted for inpatient treatment, appetite is one of the signs used to decide if a child is ready to move from the stabilisation phase to the rehabilitation phase. Becoming very hungry and easily finishing feeds is a sign that infections are under control and the metabolic machinery is starting to function properly again. When the child has a good appetite and any oedema has disappeared, the child can be considered for transfer to community-based therapeutic care.

If you would like to see an example video of appetite testing, click here.

When you would like to learn how to do the dehydration examination, go back to the Unit menu page to proceed.