Pilot research to test improved nutritional intervention and stimulation care for children with severe acute malnutrition in Tanzania

BRIGHT-SAM: BRaIn development, Growth and HealTh in children with Severe Acute Malnutrition

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN13947785

Enrollment

200

Registered

2025-03-12

Start date

2020-05-05

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2025-03-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Treatment of children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine

Interventions

This was a trial development interventional study conducted to inform the feasibility of providing therapeutic feeding with optimised essential fatty acids composition to children treated for severe a

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. 6-36 months old 2. SAM defined as mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) <115 mm or weight-for-height (WHZ) z-score <-3 as per WHO growth standards or bilateral pitting oedema 3. Age of caregiver giving consent = 18 years

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Allergy to peanuts or other ingredients of the RUTF 2. Any severe disorder preventing children from receiving interventions (e.g. not able to swallow RUTF)

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Child development measured using the Malawi Development Assessment Tool (MDAT) at baseline and 8 weeks	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Fatty acid status measured in whole blood using gas chromatography at baseline and 8 weeks 2. Growth measured using standard anthropometric techniques (mid-upper arm circumference, weight, weight for height/length z score) at baseline and 8 weeks 3. Caregiver stimulation and support assessed measured using the Family Care Indicators (FCI) questionnaire, structured observations of mother-child interactions (OMCI) and the Maternal Depression Scale (PHQ9) at baseline and 8 weeks	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Fatty acid status measured in whole blood using gas chromatography at baseline and 8 weeks 2. Growth measured using standard anthropometric techniques (mid-upper arm circumference, weight, weight for height/length z score) at baseline and 8 weeks 3. Caregiver stimulation and support assessed measured using the Family Care Indicators (FCI) questionnaire, structured observations of mother-child interactions (OMCI) and the Maternal Depression Scale (PHQ9) at baseline and 8 weeks

—

Countries

Tanzania

Contacts

Public ContactGeorge PrayGod

george.praygod@nimr.or.tz+255714226305

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026