Effect of preventive supplementation with ready-to-use therapeutic food on the nutritional status, mortality, and morbidity of children aged 6 to 60 months in Niger: a cluster randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) are an important component of effective outpatient treatment of severe wasting. However, their effectiveness in the population-based prevention of moderate and severe wasting has not been evaluated.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of a 3-month distribution of RUTF on the nutritional status, mortality, and morbidity of children aged 6 to 60 months in Niger.

Design, setting, and participants

A cluster randomized trial of 12 villages in Maradi, Niger. Six villages were randomized to intervention and 6 to no intervention. All children in the study villages aged 6 to 60 months were eligible for recruitment.

Intervention

Children with weight-for-height 80% or more of the National Center for Health Statistics reference m

SUBMITTER: Isanaka S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3144630 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature