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Home‐based therapy for oedematous malnutrition with ready‐to‐use therapeutic food

2006; Wiley; Volume: 95; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/08035250600606803

1651-2227

Michael A. Ciliberto, Mark Manary, MacDonald Ndekha, André Briend, Per Ashorn,

Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders

Abstract Background: Standard recommendations are that children with oedematous malnutrition receive inpatient therapy with a graduated feeding regimen. Aim: To investigate exclusive home‐based therapy for children with oedematous malnutrition. Methods: Children with oedematous malnutrition, good appetite and no complications were treated at home with ready‐to‐use therapeutic food (RUTF) and followed up fortnightly for up to 8 wk. Setting and participants: 219 children aged 1–5 y with oedema enrolled in one of two therapeutic nutritional studies in Malawi in 2003–2004. Results: The overall recovery rate was 83% (182/219), and the case‐fatality rate was 5% (11/219). For children with wasting and oedematous malnutrition, 65% (55/85) recovered and 7% (6/85) died. The average weight gain was 2.8±3.2 g/kg/d (mean±SD). Conclusion: This preliminary observation suggests that children with oedematous malnutrition and good appetite may be successfully treated with home‐based therapy; a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate this is warranted.