Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Effectiveness Trial Comparing a Novel 10% Milk Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food with the Standard 25% Milk Ready-to-Use Food in the Treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Rural Malawian Children

publication coverThe standard therapy for cases of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) without complications is home-based therapy with milk- and peanut-based ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF). However, the cost of the ingredients in RUTF limits its availability in resource-poor countries, with powdered milk constituting 67% of the cost. FANTA partner Washington University in St. Louis carried out a clinical effectiveness trial to examine if a reduced milk formulation of RUTF (10% milk) in which milk was replaced with soy protein would be as effective as the standard formulation of RUTF (25% milk) for treating children with SAM. Overall, children who received the 10% milk formulation had slower rates of weight gain and slower mid-upper arm circumference gain.

Collaborating Organizations: University of Malawi College of Medicine

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