Premium
Effect of selected dietary regimens on recovery from moderate acute malnutrition in young Malian children
Author(s) -
Ackatia-Armah Robert S,
McDonald Christine,
Doumbia Seydou,
Brown Kenneth H
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.1031.10
Subject(s) - medicine , micronutrient , malnutrition , calorie , zoology , pediatrics , biology , pathology
Moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) remains a major public health concern and research is needed on optimal dietary treatment regimens. We randomly assigned 12 rural health centers in Dioila Health District, Mali to provide 1 of 4 dietary regimens approximating WHO recommended nutrient profiles: 1) lipid‐based, ready‐to‐use supplementary food (Plumpy'Sup, PS); 2) special corn soy blend for MAM (CSB++); 3) locally processed, fortified food (Misola); or 4) locally milled flours and micronutrient powder. 1284 non‐edematous children aged 6–35 mo with initial arm circumference (MUAC) <12.5 and ≥11.0 cm or weight‐for‐length Z‐score (WLZ) <‐2.0 WHO standard and ≥70 % NCHS reference median were offered ~500 kcal/d of assigned diet in addition to home food intake for 12 wks. Among 1121 children (87.3%) who completed the study, the mean±SD change in weight from baseline was greater with PS than all 3 other regimens, which did not differ from each other (1.15±0.57 kg, 0.96±0.55 kg, 0.96±0.53 kg, 0.91±0.54 kg for respective study groups, p<0.001 ANOVA). MUAC changes followed a similar pattern, but length did not differ significantly among groups. Recovery from MAM (WLZ>‐2.0, MUAC>12.5cm) was highest with PS compared with the 3 other regimens (71%, 56%, 59%, 53% for respective groups, p<0.001 Scheffe). PS is more effective than the other dietary regimens, but benefits must be considered in relation to product costs and availability. This study was supported by UNICEF and WFP. Grant Funding Source : UNICEF and WFP