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Management of malnourished children with acute diarrhoea and sugar intolerance
Insights
This study shows that a fermented milk-based nutritional protocol effectively treats acute diarrhea and malnutrition in Senegalese children, even those with sugar intolerance. The intervention demonstrated successful weight gain and did not worsen symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Acute diarrhea and malnutrition are significant health challenges in young children.
- Sugar intolerance can complicate nutritional rehabilitation in these vulnerable populations.
- Effective interventions are needed to manage co-occurring malnutrition, diarrhea, and sugar intolerance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a nutritional rehabilitation protocol using fermented milk, vegetable oil, and sugar for children with acute diarrhea and malnutrition.
- To assess the protocol's efficacy in children with and without sugar intolerance.
- To determine the safety and impact of the protocol on weight gain and diarrheal symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 54 Senegalese children (6-36 months) with acute diarrhea and malnutrition were treated with a specific nutritional protocol.
- Children's hydration status and presence of sugar intolerance were assessed at admission.
- Weight gain and diarrheal course were monitored throughout the treatment period.
Main Results:
- The nutritional protocol was successfully implemented in all cases, with no instances of treatment compromise due to worsening diarrhea or weight loss.
- Children with marasmus showed comparable mean weight gains regardless of sugar intolerance.
- The intervention was associated with positive weight gain and did not exacerbate diarrheal symptoms.
Conclusions:
- A nutritional rehabilitation protocol based on fermented milk, vegetable oil, and sugar is effective for treating malnourished children experiencing acute diarrhea.
- This approach is safe and beneficial even for children with co-existing sugar intolerance.
- The findings support the use of oral rehydration alongside this fermented milk-based formula for improved pediatric nutritional outcomes.
Abstract:
A protocol of nutritional rehabilitation using fermented milk, vegetable oil, and castor sugar has been tested on 54 Senegalese children age 6-36 months admitted with acute diarrhoea and malnutrition. At time of admission, 39 per cent of children were dehydrated and 26 per cent had sugar intolerance. In the course of treatment three absconded and one died from acute pneumonia with respiratory and heart failure. Among those with marasmus there were no differences in mean weight gains between children with sugar intolerance and others, despite a longer duration of diarrhoea in the first group. Furthermore, the treatment protocol has never been compromised because of worsening diarrhoea or weight loss. These results indicate that a formula based on fermented milk together with oral rehydration can be used to treat malnourished children with acute diarrhoea and sugar intolerance.