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Maru Y, Tamiru D, Baye K, Chitekwe S, Lailou A, Darsene H, Abdulai R, Worku M, Belachew T. Effect of a simplified approach on recovery of children 6-59 months with wasting in Ethiopia: A noninferiority, cluster randomized controlled trial. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2024:e13670. [PMID: 38800892 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Worldwide, nearly 45 million children under the age of 5 years were affected by wasting in 2022. Ethiopia has been challenged by disasters increasing the caseload of children with wasting. This study aimed to determine the effect of a simplified approach on recovery of children with acute malnutrition as compared with the standard protocol. A cluster randomized, controlled, noninferiority trial was carried out in three regions of Ethiopia from December 4, 2021, to July 30, 2022. A total of 58 clusters (health posts) were randomized into intervention and control groups. Children with SAM in the intervention groups received two sachets of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), whereas children in the control groups received RUTF based on their body weight. Children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) received one sachet of RUTF and one sachet of Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) daily in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Per protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat analysis were used to compare recovery at a noninferiority margin of 15%. Data were collected from 55 health posts and 1032 children. In the PP analysis, the recovery rate of children with wasting among the simplified group (97.8%) was noninferior to the standard protocol group (97.7%), p = 0.399. The RUTF cost per treatment of child with SAM was 56.55 USD for the standard versus 42.78 USD for the simplified approach. The simplified approach is noninferior to the standard protocol in terms of recovery and has a lower cost of RUTF. Further study is recommended to assess the effectiveness of the simplified approach in emergency contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yetayesh Maru
- Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Dessalegn Tamiru
- Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Kaleab Baye
- Center for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Arnaud Lailou
- UNICEF West and Central Africa Regional Office, Nutrition Section, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Hiwot Darsene
- Nutrition Coordination Office, Ethiopian Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Rashid Abdulai
- Nutrition Section, UNICEF Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Mesfin Worku
- Nutrition Section, UNICEF Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tefera Belachew
- Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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Maru Y, Tamiru D, Baye K, Chitekwe S, Kifle YG, Lailou A, Belachew T. Comparing time to recovery in wasting treatment: simplified approach vs. standard protocol among children aged 6-59 months in Ethiopia-a cluster-randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial. Front Pediatr 2024; 12:1337370. [PMID: 38840802 PMCID: PMC11150620 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1337370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Wasting occurs when the body's nutritional needs are unmet due to insufficient intake or illness. It represents a significant global challenge, with approximately 45 million infants and children under 5 years of age suffering from wasting in 2022. Methods A cluster-randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial was conducted in three regions of Ethiopia. A non-inferiority margin of 15%, along with a recovery rate of 90% and a minimum acceptable recovery rate of 75%, were considered alongside an intra-cluster correlation coefficient of 0.05 and an anticipated loss to follow-up of 10% in determining the total sample size of 1,052 children. Children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in the simplified group received two sachets of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) daily, while the standard group received RUTF based on their body weight. For moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) cases, the simplified group received one sachet of RUTF, whereas the standard group received one sachet of ready-to-use supplementary food daily. A non-parametric Kaplan-Meir curve was utilized to compare the survival time to recovery. Results A total of 1,032 data points were gathered. For SAM cases, the average length of stay was 8.86 (±3.91) weeks for the simplified protocol and 8.26 (±4.18) weeks for the standard protocol (P = 0.13). For MAM cases, the average length of stay was 8.18 (±2.96) weeks for the simplified approach and 8.32 (±3.55) weeks for the standard protocol (P = 0.61). There was no significant difference (P = 0.502) observed between the simplified protocol [8 weeks, interquartile range (IQR): 7.06-8.94] and the standard protocol [9 weeks (IQR: 8.17-9.83)] among children with SAM on the median time to cure. There was no significant difference (P = 0.502) in the time to cure between the simplified approach [8 weeks (IQR: 7.53-8.47)] and the standard protocol [8 weeks (IQR: 7.66-8.34)] among children with MAM. The survival curves displayed similarity, with the log-rank test not showing significance (P > 0.5), indicating the non-inferiority of the simplified approach for cure time. Conclusion The findings showed that the simplified and standard protocols demonstrated no significant differences in terms of the average duration of stay and time required for recovery. Clinical Trial Registration https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/, Identifier (PACTR202202496481398).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yetayesh Maru
- Nurition and Dietetics Department, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Dessalegn Tamiru
- Nurition and Dietetics Department, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Kaleab Baye
- Center for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Nutrition and Food Systems Division, Research Center for Inclusive Development in Africa (RIDA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Yehenew G. Kifle
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Arnaud Lailou
- Nutrition Section, UNICEF West and Central Africa Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Tefera Belachew
- Nurition and Dietetics Department, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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López-Ejeda N, Charle-Cuéllar P, Samake S, Dougnon AO, Sánchez-Martínez LJ, Samake MN, Bagayoko A, Bunkembo M, Touré F, Vargas A, Guerrero S. Effectiveness of decentralizing outpatient acute malnutrition treatment with community health workers and a simplified combined protocol: a cluster randomized controlled trial in emergency settings of Mali. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1283148. [PMID: 38450139 PMCID: PMC10915236 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1283148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Outpatient treatment of acute malnutrition is usually centralized in health centers and separated into different programs according to case severity. This complicates case detection, care delivery, and supply chain management, making it difficult for families to access treatment. This study assessed the impact of treating severe and moderate cases in the same program using a simplified protocol and decentralizing treatment outside health centers through community health workers (CHWs). Methods A three-armed cluster randomized controlled trial under a non-inferiority hypothesis was conducted in the Gao region of Mali involving 2,038 children between 6 and 59 months of age with non-complicated acute malnutrition. The control arm consisted of 549 children receiving standard treatment in health centers from nursing staff. The first intervention arm consisted of 800 children treated using the standard protocol with CHWs added as treatment providers. The second intervention arm consisted of 689 children treated by nurses and CHWs under the ComPAS simplified protocol, considering mid-upper arm circumference as the sole anthropometric criterion for admission and discharge and providing a fixed dose of therapeutic food for severe and moderate cases. Coverage was assessed through cross-sectional surveys using the sampling evaluation of access and coverage (SLEAC) methodology for a wide area involving several service delivery units. Results The recovery rates were 76.3% in the control group, 81.8% in the group that included CHWs with the standard protocol, and 92.9% in the group that applied the simplified protocol, confirming non-inferiority and revealing a significant risk difference among the groups. No significant differences were found in the time to recovery (6 weeks) or in anthropometric gain, whereas the therapeutic food expenditure was significantly lower with the simplified combined program in severe cases (43 sachets fewer than the control). In moderate cases, an average of 35 sachets of therapeutic food were used. With the simplified protocol, the CHWs had 6% discharge errors compared with 19% with the standard protocol. The treatment coverage increased significantly with the simplified combined program (SAM +42.5%, MAM +13.8%). Implications Implementing a simplified combined treatment program and adding CHWs as treatment providers can improve coverage while maintaining non-inferior effectiveness, reducing the expenditure on nutritional intrants, and ensuring the continuum of care for the most vulnerable children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemí López-Ejeda
- EPINUT Research Group (ref. 920325), Unit of Physical Anthropology, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Salimata Samake
- Nutrition and Health Department, Action Against Hunger, Bamako, Mali
| | | | - Luis Javier Sánchez-Martínez
- EPINUT Research Group (ref. 920325), Unit of Physical Anthropology, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mahamadou N’tji Samake
- Nutrition Directorate of the General Directorate of Health and Public Hygiene, Ministry of Health, Bamako, Mali
| | - Aliou Bagayoko
- Nutrition Directorate of the General Directorate of Health and Public Hygiene, Ministry of Health, Bamako, Mali
| | - Magloire Bunkembo
- Nutrition and Health Department, Action Against Hunger, Bamako, Mali
| | - Fanta Touré
- West and Central Africa Regional Office, Action Against Hunger, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Antonio Vargas
- Nutrition and Health Department, Action Against Hunger, Madrid, Spain
| | - Saul Guerrero
- Child Nutrition and Development Office, UNICEF, New York, NY, United States
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Lyles E, Ismail S, Ramaswamy M, Drame A, Leidman E, Doocy S. Simplified treatment protocols improve recovery of children with severe acute malnutrition in South Sudan: results from a mixed methods study. JOURNAL OF HEALTH, POPULATION, AND NUTRITION 2024; 43:21. [PMID: 38308364 PMCID: PMC10835937 DOI: 10.1186/s41043-024-00518-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As part of COVID-19 mitigation strategies, emergency nutrition program adaptations were implemented, but evidence of the effects is limited. Compared to the standard protocol, the full adapted protocol included adapted admissions criteria, simplified dosing, and reduced visit frequency; partially adapted protocols consisting of only some of these modifications were also implemented. To enable evidence-based nutrition program modifications as the context evolved, this study was conducted to characterize how protocol adaptations in South Sudan affected Outpatient Therapeutic Feeding Program outcomes. METHODS A mixed methods approach consisting of secondary analysis of individual-level nutrition program data and key informant interviews was used. Analyses focused on program implementation and severe acute malnutrition treatment outcomes under the standard, full COVID-19 adapted, and partially adapted treatment protocols from 2019 through 2021. Analyses compared characteristics and outcomes by different admission types under the standard protocol and across four different treatment protocols. Regression models evaluated the odds of recovery and mean length of stay (LoS) under the four protocols. RESULTS Very few (1.6%; n = 156) children admitted based on low weight-for-height alone under the standard protocol would not have been eligible for admission under the adapted protocol. Compared to the full standard protocol, the partially adapted (admission only) and partially adapted (admission and dosing) protocols had lower LoS of 28.4 days (CI - 30.2, - 26.5) and 5.1 days (CI - 6.2, - 4.0); the full adapted protocol had a decrease of 3.0 (CI - 5.1, - 1.0) days. All adapted protocols had significantly increased adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for recovery compared to the full standard protocol: partially adapted (admission only) AOR = 2.56 (CI 2.18-3.01); partially adapted (admission + dosing) AOR = 1.78 (CI 1.45-2.19); and fully adapted protocol AOR = 2.41 (CI 1.69-3.45). CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that few children were excluded when weight-for-height criteria were suspended. LoS was shortest when only MUAC was used for entry/exit but dosing and visit frequency were unchanged. Significantly shorter LoS with simplified dosing and visit frequency vs. under the standard protocol indicate that protocol adaptations may lead to shorter recovery and program enrollment times. Findings also suggest that good recovery is achievable with reduced visit frequency and simplified dosing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Lyles
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Suite E8132, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sule Ismail
- Integral Global Consulting, Atlanta, GA, USA
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maya Ramaswamy
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Aly Drame
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Eva Leidman
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shannon Doocy
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Suite E8132, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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Kangas ST, Ouédraogo CT, Tounkara M, Ouoluoguem B, Coulibaly IN, Haidara A, Diarra NH, Diassana K, Tausanovitch Z, Ritz C, Wells JC, Briend A, Myatt M, Radin E, Bailey J. Nutritional treatment of children 6-59 months with severely low weight-for-age z-score: a study protocol for a 3-arm randomized controlled trial. Trials 2024; 25:30. [PMID: 38191436 PMCID: PMC10773065 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07890-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Admission criteria that treat children with low mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC), and low weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) are not aligned with the evidence on which children are at risk of mortality. An analysis of community-based cohort data from Senegal found that a combination of weight-for-age (WAZ) and MUAC criteria identified all children at risk of near-term death associated with severe anthropometric deficits. This study will address whether children with WAZ <-3 but MUAC ≥125 mm benefit from therapeutic feeding with ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) and whether a simplified protocol is non-inferior to the weight-based standard protocol. METHODS This is a prospective individually randomized controlled 3-arm trial conducted in the Nara health district in Mali. Children aged 6-59 months presenting with MUAC ≥125 mm and WAZ <-3 will be randomized to (1) control group receiving no treatment, (2) simplified treatment receiving 1 sachet of RUTF daily until WAZ ≥-3 for 2 visits, (3) standard treatment receiving RUTF according to WHZ category: (a) WHZ <-3 receive 200 kcal/kg/day until WHZ ≥-2 for 2 visits, (b) WHZ ≥-3 but <-2 receive 1 sachet daily until WHZ ≥-2 for 2 visits or (c) WHZ ≥-2 receive no treatment. All children will be followed up first fortnightly for 12 weeks and then monthly until 6 months post-enrolment. The primary endpoint will be measured at 2 months with the primary outcome being WAZ as a continuous measure. Other outcomes include other anthropometric measurements and a secondary endpoint will be observed at 6 months. A total of 1397 children will be recruited including 209 in the control and 594 in both the simplified and standard arms. The sample size should enable us to conclude on the superiority of the simplified treatment compared to no treatment and on the non-inferiority of the simplified treatment versus standard treatment with a margin of non-inferiority of 0.2 WAZ. DISCUSSION This trial aims to generate new evidence on the benefit of treating children with WAZ <-3 but MUAC ≥125 mm in order to guide the choice of admission criteria to malnutrition treatment and build evidence on the most efficient treatment protocol. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05248516 on February 21, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Moctar Tounkara
- Department of Education and Research in Public Health and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences, Technics and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Christian Ritz
- National Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonathan C Wells
- Population Policy and Practice Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - André Briend
- Department of International Health, University of Tampere School of Medicine, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mark Myatt
- Brixton Health, Brixton, UK
- Emergency Nutrition Network, Kidlington, Oxforshire, UK
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Sánchez-Martínez LJ, Charle-Cuéllar P, Gado AA, Dougnon AO, Sanoussi A, Ousmane N, Lazoumar RH, Toure F, Vargas A, Hernández CL, López-Ejeda N. Impact of a simplified treatment protocol for moderate acute malnutrition with a decentralized treatment approach in emergency settings of Niger. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1253545. [PMID: 38099186 PMCID: PMC10719846 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1253545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Of the 45.4 million children under five affected by acute malnutrition in the world, the majority (31.8 million) are affected by moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). Its treatment is particularly complex in emergency settings such as the Diffa region in Niger. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and coverage of a simplified treatment protocol with Community Health Workers (CHWs) as treatment providers. Methods This study is a non-randomized controlled trial. The control group (n = 181) received the standard protocol currently used in country, delivered by nursing staff only in health centres and health posts, while the intervention group (n = 483) received the simplified protocol which included nursing at health centres and CHWs at health post as treatment providers. Results The recovery rate was higher in the simplified protocol group (99.6% vs. 79.56%, p < 0.001) recording lower time to recover and higher anthropometric gain. Treatment coverage in the intervention group increased from 28.8% to 84.9% and reduced in the control group (25.3% to 13.6%). No differences were found in the recovery rate of children treated by CHWs and nursing staff. Conclusion The outcomes using the simplified protocol exceeded humanitarian requirements and demonstrated improvements compared to the standard protocol showing that the simplified protocol could be safely provided by CHWs in an emergency context. Further research in other contexts is needed to scale up this intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Javier Sánchez-Martínez
- Unit of Physical Anthropology, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Atté Sanoussi
- Nutrition Direction, Ministry of Health, Niamey, Niger
| | | | | | - Fanta Toure
- Action Against Hunger, West and Central Africa Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Candela Lucía Hernández
- Unit of Physical Anthropology, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Noemí López-Ejeda
- Unit of Physical Anthropology, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- EPINUT Research Group (Ref. 920325), Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Kambale RM, Ntagazibwa JN, Kasengi JB, Zigashane AB, Francisca IN, Mashukano BN, Amani Ngaboyeka G, Bahizire E, Zech F, Bindels LB, Van der Linden D. Probiotics for children with uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (PruSAM study): A randomized controlled trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Am J Clin Nutr 2023; 117:976-984. [PMID: 37137616 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) contributes to nearly 1 million deaths annually worldwide, with diarrhea and pneumonia being the common morbidity associated with mortality. OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of probiotics on diarrhea, pneumonia, and nutritional recovery in children with uncomplicated SAM. METHODS A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted involving 400 children with uncomplicated SAM randomly assigned to ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) either with (n = 200) or without (n = 200) probiotics. Patients received 1 mL daily dose of a blend of Lacticasebacillus rhamnosus GG and Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (dosage, 2 billion colony-forming units; 50:50) or placebo during 1 mo. They were simultaneously fed with the RUTF for 6 to 12 wk, depending on patients' recovery rates. The primary outcome was the duration of diarrhea. Secondary outcomes included diarrheal and pneumonic incidence, nutritional recovery, and transfer to inpatient care rate. RESULTS For children with diarrhea, the number of days of disease was lower in the probiotic group (4.11; 95% CI: 3.37, 4.51) than that in the placebo group (6.68; 95% CI: 6.26, 7.13; P < 0.001). For children aged 16 mo or older, the risk of diarrhea was lower in the probiotic group (75.6%; 95% CI: 66.2, 82.9) than that in the placebo group (95.0%; 95% CI: 88.2, 97.9; P < 0.001), but no significant difference of the risk for the youngest. In the probiotic group, nutritional recovery happened earlier: at the 6th wk, 40.6% of the infants were waiting for nutritional recovery, contrasting with 68.7% of infants in the placebo group; but the nutritional recovery rate at the 12th wk was similar between the groups. Probiotics had no effect on pneumonic incidence and transfer to inpatient care. CONCLUSIONS This trial supports using probiotics for the treatment of children with uncomplicated SAM. Its effect on diarrhea could positively affect nutritional programs in resource-limited settings. This trial was registered https://pactr.samrc.ac.za as PACTR202108842939734.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Mbusa Kambale
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine, Université catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; General Pediatrics, Pediatric Department, Hôpital Provincial Général de Référence de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; Center for Tropical Diseases and Global Health, Université catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
| | - Joseph Ntagerwa Ntagazibwa
- Faculty of Medicine, Université catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; General Pediatrics, Pediatric Department, Hôpital Provincial Général de Référence de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Joe Bwija Kasengi
- Faculty of Medicine, Université catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; General Pediatrics, Pediatric Department, Hôpital Provincial Général de Référence de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Adrien Burume Zigashane
- Faculty of Medicine, Université catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; General Pediatrics, Pediatric Department, Hôpital Provincial Général de Référence de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Isia Nancy Francisca
- Faculty of Medicine, Université catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; General Pediatrics, Pediatric Department, Hôpital Provincial Général de Référence de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Benjamin Ntaligeza Mashukano
- Faculty of Medicine, Université catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; General Pediatrics, Pediatric Department, Hôpital Provincial Général de Référence de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Gaylord Amani Ngaboyeka
- Ecole Régionale de Santé Publique, Université catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Esto Bahizire
- Faculty of Medicine, Université catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; Center for Tropical Diseases and Global Health, Université catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Center for Research in Natural Sciences of Lwiro, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Francis Zech
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Laure B Bindels
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dimitri Van der Linden
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium; Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Specialized Pediatrics Service, Pediatric Department, Cliniques universitaires Saint Luc, Brussels, Belgium
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Charle-Cuéllar P, Lopez-Ejeda N, Aziz Gado A, Dougnon AO, Sanoussi A, Ousmane N, Hamidou Lazoumar R, Sánchez-Martínez LJ, Toure F, Vargas A, Guerrero S. Effectiveness and Coverage of Severe Acute Malnutrition Treatment with a Simplified Protocol in a Humanitarian Context in Diffa, Niger. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15081975. [PMID: 37111194 PMCID: PMC10146545 DOI: 10.3390/nu15081975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND the aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and coverage of a simplified protocol that is implemented in health centers (HCs) and health posts (HPs) for children who are suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in the humanitarian context of Diffa. METHODS We conducted a non-randomized community-controlled trial. The control group received outpatient treatment for SAM, without medical complications, at HCs and HPs with the standard protocol of community management of acute malnutrition (CMAM). Meanwhile, with respect to the intervention group, the children with SAM received treatment at the HCs and HPs through a simplified protocol wherein the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and the presence of edema were used as the admission criteria, and the children with SAM were administered doses of fixed ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF). RESULTS A total of 508 children, who were all under 5 years and had SAM, were admitted into the study. The cured proportion was 87.4% in the control group versus 96.6% in the intervention group (p value = 0.001). There was no difference between the groups in the length of stay, which was 35 days, but the intervention group used a lower quantity of RUTF-70 sachets versus 90 sachets, per child cured. Coverage increases were observed in both groups. DISCUSSION the simplified protocol used at the HCs and HPs did not result in worse recovery and resulted in fewer discharge errors compared to the standard protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Noemi Lopez-Ejeda
- EPINUT Research Group (Ref. 920325), Unit of Physical Anthropology, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, and Evolution, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Atté Sanoussi
- Nutrition Direction, Ministry of Health, Niamey BP 623, Niger
| | - Nassirou Ousmane
- Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), Niamey BP 10887, Niger
| | | | - Luis Javier Sánchez-Martínez
- EPINUT Research Group (Ref. 920325), Unit of Physical Anthropology, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, and Evolution, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fanta Toure
- Action against Hunger, West and Central Africa Regional, Dakar BP 29621, Senegal
| | - Antonio Vargas
- Action against Hunger, C/Duque de Sevilla no. 3, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Saul Guerrero
- United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund-UNICEF, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA
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Cazes C, Phelan K, Hubert V, Boubacar H, Bozama LI, Sakubu GT, Senge BB, Baya N, Alitanou R, Kouamé A, Yao C, Gabillard D, Daures M, Augier A, Anglaret X, Kinda M, Shepherd S, Becquet R. Optimising the dosage of ready-to-use therapeutic food in children with uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 58:101878. [PMID: 36915287 PMCID: PMC10006445 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current standard management of severe acute malnutrition uses ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) at a single weight-based calculation resulting in an increasing amount of RUTF provided to the family as the child's weight increases during recovery. Using RUTF at a gradually reduced dosage as the child recovers could reduce costs while achieving similar growth response. METHODS We conducted an open-label, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Children aged 6-59 months with a mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) of less than 115 mm or a weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) of less than -3 or bipedal oedema and without medical complication were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) using a specially developed software and random blocks (size was kept confidential), to either the current standard treatment (increasing the RUTF amount with increasing weight) or the OptiMA strategy (decreasing the RUTF dose with increasing weight and MUAC). The main endpoint was proportion of children who achieved recovery over the 6 months follow up period, as defined as meeting the following criteria for two consecutive weeks after a minimum of 4 weeks' treatment: axillary temperature less than 37.5 °C, no bipedal oedema, and anthropometric improvement (either MUAC 125 mm or greater or WHZ -1.5 or higher). We performed analyses on the intention-to-treat (ITT) (all children) and per-protocol populations (participants who had a minimum prescription of 4 weeks' RUTF, received at least 90% of the total amount of RUTF they were supposed to receive as per the protocol, and had a maximum interval of 6 weeks between any two visits in the 6-month follow-up). The non-inferiority margin was 10%. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, and is now closed NCT03751475. FINDINGS Between July 22, 2019, and January 20, 2020, 491 children were randomly assigned, of whom 482 were analysed (240 in the standard group and 242 in the OptiMA group). In the ITT analysis, 234 (98%) children in the standard group and 231 (96%) children in OptiMA recovered (difference 2.0%, 95% CI -2.0% to 6.4%). In the PP analysis, 234 (98%) children in the standard group and 228 (97%) in OptiMA recovered (difference 1.3%, 95% CI -2.3% to 5.1%). Sensitivity analyses applying the same anthropometric recovery criteria to each group also showed non-inferiority of the OptiMA strategy in ITT and PP analysis. INTERPRETATION This non-inferiority trial treating uncomplicated children with MUAC of less than 115 mm or a WHZ of less than -3 or bipedal oedema with decreasing RUTF dose as MUAC and weight increase demonstrated non-inferiority compared to the standard protocol in a highly food-insecure context in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These findings add evidence on the safety of RUTF dose reduction with significant RUTF cost savings. FUNDING Innocent Foundation and European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. TRANSLATION For the French translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Cazes
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) UMR 1219, Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Kevin Phelan
- The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Paris, France
| | - Victoire Hubert
- The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Kamuesha, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Harouna Boubacar
- The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Kamuesha, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Liévin Izie Bozama
- National Nutrition Programme (PRONANUT), Ministry of Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Gilbert Tshibangu Sakubu
- Kamuesha Health Zone in the Kasaï Province, Ministry of Health, Kamuesha, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Bruno Bindamba Senge
- National Nutrition Programme (PRONANUT), Ministry of Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Norbert Baya
- National Nutrition Programme (PRONANUT), Ministry of Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Rodrigue Alitanou
- The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Kamuesha, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Antoine Kouamé
- PACCI ANRS Research Programme, University Hospital of Treichville, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Cyrille Yao
- PACCI ANRS Research Programme, University Hospital of Treichville, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Delphine Gabillard
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) UMR 1219, Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Maguy Daures
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) UMR 1219, Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Augustin Augier
- The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Paris, France
| | - Xavier Anglaret
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) UMR 1219, Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Moumouni Kinda
- The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Dakar, Senegal
| | - Susan Shepherd
- The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Dakar, Senegal
| | - Renaud Becquet
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) UMR 1219, Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Corresponding author. Bordeaux Population Health Centre, Team GHiGS, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux 33076, France.
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Aydın K, Dalgıç B, Kansu A, Özen H, Selimoğlu MA, Tekgül H, Ünay B, Yüce A. The significance of MUAC z-scores in diagnosing pediatric malnutrition: A scoping review with special emphasis on neurologically disabled children. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1081139. [PMID: 36950173 PMCID: PMC10025394 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1081139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This review by a panel of pediatric gastroenterology-hepatology-nutrition and pediatric neurology experts aimed to address the significance of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) assessment in diagnosis of pediatric malnutrition. Specifically, the potential utility of recently developed MUAC z-score tape in clinical practice for larger patient populations was addressed including the neurologically disabled children. In accordance with the evidence-based data, four statements were identified by the participating experts on the utility of MUAC z-score tape, including (1) MUAC z-scores correlate with body mass index (BMI) and weight for height/length (WFH/l) z-scores in diagnosing malnutrition; (2) MUAC z-score tape offers a higher sensitivity to diagnose the mild and moderate malnutrition and better ability to track the changes in nutritional status over time than the other single datapoint measurements; (3) Using single-step MUAC z-score tape in children with cerebral palsy (CP) seems to provide more reliable data on anthropometry; and (4) The clinical value of the tool in classifying secondary malnutrition in CP should be investigated in large-scale populations. In conclusion, enabling single-step estimation of nutritional status in a large-scale pediatric population regardless of age and within a wide range of weight, without formal training or the need for ancillary reference charts and calculators, MUAC z-tape offers a favorable tool for easier and earlier diagnosis of pediatric malnutrition. Nonetheless, further implementation of MUAC z-score screening in larger-scale and/or special populations is necessary to justify its utility in relation to other primary anthropometric indicators in diagnosis of malnutrition as well as in treatment monitoring in the community and hospital setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kürşad Aydın
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Medipol University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Buket Dalgıç
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Aydan Kansu
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Hasan Özen
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
- Correspondence: Hasan Özen
| | - Mukadder Ayşe Selimoğlu
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Memorial Atasehir and Bahcelievler Hospitals, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Hasan Tekgül
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Türkiye
| | - Bülent Ünay
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Gulhane Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Aysel Yüce
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
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Akilimali A, Banga S, Oduoye MO, Biamba C, Munyangi A, Byiringiro E, Fabien B, Laroche MUBAGWAG, Masirika W. Malnutrition among under-five children in Democratic Republic of the Congo: A plague of the health system. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2022; 82:104260. [PMID: 36124211 PMCID: PMC9482077 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Malnutrition in children has been recognized as a major public health problem in the world and in particular in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which directly contributes to the increase in mortality and morbidity in this already fragile population. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country plagued by repeated conflicts between different local armed groups and instability in the management of political affairs. There is a high prevalence of malnutrition in the eastern provinces of the country. Although it is a major public health problem, the inadequacy of the system in question plays an important role in the inequality of access to health care and therefore in the lack of growth monitoring of very young children under 5 years old. The rate of malnourished children has been observed in the country. Malnutrition in these children causes several alterations such as delayed physical and motor growth, a decrease in immune defenses which considerably increases the mortality rate and a decrease in cognitive and learning abilities. Malnutrition remains a serious public health problem in low-income countries and is reflected in various statistics from the World Health Organization. Children are more at risk of being at nutritional risk or suffering from malnutrition. This narrative review summarizes current data on the prevalence and determinants of malnutrition in children, including the difficulty of providing children with a consistent food intake due to mass displacement from conflict areas, the inability of nutritional centers to care of patients admitted for malnutrition due to lack of equipment and the many epidemics the country has had to deal with which have severely handicapped the already unstable health system. Malnutrition is a plague for the health system of the Democratic Republic of Congo, of which children fewer than 5 are victims. Malnutrition is inevitable by ensuring good food security in young children, which reduces the death rate. The Congolese government must mobilize all its efforts in the fight against malnutrition among young children in recent days.
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Kaboré K, Konaté K, Sanou A, Dakuyo R, Sama H, Santara B, Compaoré EWR, Dicko MH. Tomato By-Products, a Source of Nutrients for the Prevention and Reduction of Malnutrition. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14142871. [PMID: 35889828 PMCID: PMC9325112 DOI: 10.3390/nu14142871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Malnutrition is a global phenomenon that mainly affects children under five years old, the elderly and food insecure people. It can be linked to undernourishment or overnutrition. To prevent it, a healthy and balanced diet, rich in energy and micronutrients, is necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional composition and contribution of tomato by-products to prevent and reduce malnutrition. Thus, standard methods were used for proximate composition and bioactive compounds. Results showed that tomato by-products are rich in macronutrients and micronutrients capable of preventing undernutrition and reducing the incidence of the effects of overnutrition. The average carbohydrate, protein and lipid contents were 15.43%, 11.71% and 5.4% (DM) in peels and for seeds the contents were 58.75%, 15.4% and 22.2%, respectively. The average energy values were 280.47 kcal/100 g and 472.8 kcal/100 g DM for peels and seeds, respectively. The main minerals found were, in decreasing order, potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron and zinc. High contents of phenolic compounds, lycopene, β-carotene and vitamin C were also found in these by-products. They also presented important antioxidant activities. Due to their nutritional and bioactive compounds, tomato by-products may be included in functional food formulation programs to reduce the incidence of nutritional diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabakdé Kaboré
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Food Technology and Nutrition (LABIOTAN), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso; (K.K.); (A.S.); (R.D.); (H.S.); (E.W.R.C.); (M.H.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Kiéssoun Konaté
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Food Technology and Nutrition (LABIOTAN), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso; (K.K.); (A.S.); (R.D.); (H.S.); (E.W.R.C.); (M.H.D.)
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Applied Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso
| | - Abdoudramane Sanou
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Food Technology and Nutrition (LABIOTAN), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso; (K.K.); (A.S.); (R.D.); (H.S.); (E.W.R.C.); (M.H.D.)
| | - Roger Dakuyo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Food Technology and Nutrition (LABIOTAN), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso; (K.K.); (A.S.); (R.D.); (H.S.); (E.W.R.C.); (M.H.D.)
| | - Hemayoro Sama
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Food Technology and Nutrition (LABIOTAN), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso; (K.K.); (A.S.); (R.D.); (H.S.); (E.W.R.C.); (M.H.D.)
- Applied Sciences and Technologies Training and Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Dedougou, Dedougou 09 BP 176, Burkina Faso
| | - Balamoussa Santara
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre, Université Nazi BONI, Bobo-Dioulasso 01 BP 1091, Burkina Faso;
| | - Ella Wendinpuikondo Rakèta Compaoré
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Food Technology and Nutrition (LABIOTAN), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso; (K.K.); (A.S.); (R.D.); (H.S.); (E.W.R.C.); (M.H.D.)
| | - Mamoudou Hama Dicko
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Food Technology and Nutrition (LABIOTAN), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso; (K.K.); (A.S.); (R.D.); (H.S.); (E.W.R.C.); (M.H.D.)
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The OptiMA protocol in children with wasting and stunting – Authors' reply. Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10:e958. [DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00245-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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The OptiMA protocol in children with wasting and stunting. Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10:e957. [DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00247-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Kambale RM, Francisca IN. Optimising the management of acute malnutrition. THE LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2022; 10:e453-e454. [DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00087-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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