Clinical Trial: Effect of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) Supplement After an Episode of Malaria Falciparum on Weight

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: The Effectiveness of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) in Catch up Growth in Children After an Episode of P. Falciparum Malaria

Brief Summary: The primary objective of this study is to determine to what extent provision with RUTF will promote catch up growth in children following an acute uncomplicated episode of P. falciparum malaria.

Detailed Summary:

Anorexia due to infection might lead to weight loss. In many settings total recovery is problematic what might result in a permanent lower weight. A short period high quality food supplementation could improve weight gain after an infection.

Children aged 6-59 months presenting with malaria caused by P. falciparum who are provided with a RUTF supplement (Plumpynut®) of 500 kcal/day for 2 weeks will show significantly better catch up growth compared to a similar patient group not provided with RUTF (at 2 weeks and 4 weeks post-intervention).

Sponsor: Medecins Sans Frontieres, Netherlands

Current Primary Outcome: weight gain [ Time Frame: 14 days ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: weight gain [ Time Frame: 28 days ]

Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Medecins Sans Frontieres, Netherlands

Dates:
Date Received: January 8, 2009
Date Started: January 2009
Date Completion:
Last Updated: October 15, 2013
Last Verified: October 2013