The Effect of Routine Antibiotic Use in the Outpatient Treatment of Severely Malnourished Children Without Complications

Inclusion Criteria: * Age from 6 to 59 months * MUAC \< 11.5 cm or WHZ \< -3 * Absence of bipedal edema * Absence of current illness requiring inpatient care * Eligible for new admission for outpatient nutritional therapy for SAM at 3 CRENAS in Madarounfa operated by FORSANI * Absence of current clinical illness requiring prescription of specific antibiotic therapy and decision by the study physician to use a specific antimicrobial drug on admission * Written consent of parent or caregiver * Residence within Niger Exclusion Criteria: * Age \< 6 months or \> 59 months * MUAC ≥ 11.5 cm and WHZ ≥ -3 * Presence of bipedal edema * Presence of current illness requiring inpatient care * Decision by the study physician to use a specific different antimicrobial drug on admission * Presence of any congenital abnormality or underlying chronic disease that may affect growth or risk of infection * Treatment with any antibiotic within 7 days * Admission to any nutritional program for the treatment of SAM within 3 months * Known contraindication / hypersensitivity to amoxicillin