Abstract:
The objective of this study was to assess whether the standard therapy of ready-to-use
therapeutic food in the treatment of uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is effective in
improving developmental potential and weight gain in children aged under five years. A multicen
ter pretest-posttest study was conducted among 91 children aged under five with uncomplicated
SAM in Pakistan. Study participants completed their eight weeks’ therapy of ready-to-use thera
peutic food according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standard guidelines. The study
outcome was the proportion of children with improved developmental potential in all domains in
comparison with the pretreatment status and children gaining >15% of their baseline weight; mean
weight-for-height/length z-score after completing eight weeks’ therapy of ready-to-use therapeutic
food. The Denver Development Screening Tool II was used for developmental screening. Significant
changes (p < 0.05) were observed for developmental status milestones in terms of gross motor, fine
motor, and personal/social milestones, as well as language and global development milestones.
There was a strong positive correlation (r = 0.961) between initial weight and weight at the last visit
(p < 0.001). Ready-to-use therapeutic food is effective in improving development potential as well
as promoting weight gain in children aged under five with uncomplicated SAM if provided accord
ing to WHO guidelines.
