Intake from an energy-dense porridge liquefied by amylase of germinated wheat: a controlled trial in severely malnourished children during convalescence from diarrhoea.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of an energy-dense diet liquefied with amylase-rich flour from germinated wheat (ARF) in increasing the energy intake in severely malnourished infants and young children and its acceptability to mothers.


METHODS
A randomized controlled clinical trial with two sets of controls.


METHODS
Nutrition rehabilitation unit of a large diarrhoea treatment centre where mothers stay with their very severely malnourished children.


METHODS
78 severely malnourished children aged 5-18 months just recovered from diarrhoea.


METHODS
Children were randomly assigned to receive either an energy-dense porridge made liquid by adding ARF (test diet) or an unaltered thick porridge of similar energy density (control 1 diet), or the porridge made liquid with addition of water to have the same viscosity as the test diet but of lower energy (control 2 diet), in four major meals a day for 5 days and intake was measured; breast-milk was measured by test weighing. Children also received an additional three milk-cereal meals a day.


RESULTS
The mean energy intake (95% CI, P value for difference between test and control) was 385 (339-431), 289 (251-327, P < 0.005), and 255 (222-289, P < 0.001) kJ/kg.d respectively. Feeding test diet was not associated with significant adverse effects e.g. on diarrhoea, vomiting, breast-milk intake, and was well accepted by mothers.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that use of an energy-dense ARF-treated liquefied porridge increases calorie intake by very severely malnourished children during convalescence from diarrhoea, and that it does not produce any adverse effect.
Rahman
M M
MM
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) Clinical Sciences Division, Dhaka.
Islam
M A
MA
Mahalanabis
D
D
Biswas
E
E
Majid
N
N
Wahed
M A
MA
D000681:Amylases / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000886:Anthropometry; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014908:Triticum
D000681:Amylases