Since 2001, Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) are widely used to treat severe malnutrition. Their efficacy and effectiveness were proven in community therapeutic care programs. Recently, the question rose if RUTF would be more effective than enriched flours to treat moderate malnutrition. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Ready to Use Food Supplementary-plumpy® and Premix Corn Soy Blend with oil in term of cure rate, weight gain, duration of treatment, morbidity and mortality in the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition. Compare the longer term effect on nutritional status and morbidity (relapse?).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
570
Children received two Supplementary-plumpy® packages per day (184g) providing 1000 Kcal, 26g (10.4%) protein, 68g (61.2%) fat, and 100% of micronutrient requirements based on the Daily Recommended Nutrient Intake.
Children received 2 kg of premix per week (226g CSB, 37g oil, and 23g sugar / day) providing 1277 Kcal, 40.7g protein (12.7%), 50.6g (35.7%) fat, and 100% of micronutrient according to the DRNI guidelines
Health Centers run by MSF and MOH
Bo, Bo, Sierra Leone
Recovery
proportion of children who recovered, defined as WHM\> 85% for two consecutive weeks
Time frame: 112 days
average weight gain
in g per kg of weight per day
Time frame: 112 days
Duration of treatment
average length of stay in days.
Time frame: 112 days
Morbidity
number of morbidity episodes during the treatment and six months thereafter
Time frame: 11 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.