Severe acute malnutrition in children Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Conditions
Interventions
Children are randomised to two groups: receiving pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) or standard treatment. All children admitted to MOYO have a thick blood film examined for parasitaemia and
Sponsors
Emma Children's Hospital Foundation Support (Stichting Steun Emma Kinderziekenhuis AMC) (Netherlands)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Severely malnourished children 2. Aged between 6 and 60 months 3. Admitted to MOYO House 4. Diagnosed with kwashiorkor, and/or marasmus (WHO criteria) 5. Both HIV positive and negative children
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Malaria (as proven by a positive blood smear) 2. Sepsis (i.e. circulatory failure) 3. Severe pneumonia, vomiting or severe diarrhoea 4. Those whose parent/guardian has not given consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. To compare the percentage of weight gain after 28 days of PERT with the current standard of care (calculated using the final weight at 28 days and the minimum weight during admission) 2. An additional 10% increase in weight will be considered clinically relevant | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The differences after 28 days of PERT compared to the current standard of care with respect to: 1. Improvement in exocrine pancreatic function assessed by increased serum cationic and faecal elastase-1 levels 2. Decreased time on the ward in the PERT group 3. Overall mortality by 4 weeks in both groups | — |
Countries
Malawi
Outcome results
None listed