Nutrition rehabilitation of undernourished children utilizing Spiruline and Misola.
BACKGROUND
Malnutrition constitutes a public health problem throughout the world and particularly in developing countries.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study is to assess the impact of an elementary integrator composed of Spiruline (Spirulina platensis) and Misola (millet, soja, peanut) produced at the Centre Medical St Camille (CMSC) of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on the nutritional status of undernourished children.


METHODS
550 undernourished children of less than 5 years old were enrolled in this study, 455 showed severe marasma, 57 marasma of medium severity and 38 kwashiorkor plus marasma. We divided the children randomly into four groups: 170 were given Misola (731 +/- 7 kcal/day), 170 were given Spiruline plus traditional meals (748 +/- 6 kcal/day), 170 were given Spiruline plus Misola (767 +/- 5 kcal/day). Forty children received only traditional meals (722 +/- 8 kcal/day) and functioned as the control group. The duration of this study was eight weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Anthropometrics and haematological parameters allowed us to appreciate both the nutritional and biological evolution of these children. The rehabilitation with Spiruline plus Misola (this association gave an energy intake of 767 +/- 5 kcal/day with a protein assumption of 33.3 +/- 1.2 g a day), both greater than Misola or Spiruline alone, seems to correct weight loss more quickly.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that Misola, Spiruline plus traditional meals or Spiruline plus Misola are all a good food supplement for undernourished children, but the rehabilitation by Spiruline plus Misola seems synergically favour the nutrition rehabilitation better than the simple addition of protein and energy intake.
Simpore
Jacques
J
Unit of Formation and of Research in Sciences of Life and of the Earth, University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Africa. jacques.simpore@univ-ouaga.bf
Kabore
Fatoumata
F
Zongo
Frederic
F
Dansou
Deleli
D
Bere
Augustin
A
Pignatelli
Salvatore
S
Biondi
Daniela M
DM
Ruberto
Giuseppe
G
Musumeci
Salvatore
S
D010367:Arachis; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D006801:Humans; D007732:Kwashiorkor / Q000178:diet therapy; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008897:Panicum; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000178:diet therapy; D053545:Spirulina
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004044:Dietary Proteins