Effectiveness of Oral Albendazole in the Treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition

Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial to Evaluate the Benefit of Antihelminthic Therapy in the Community-Based Treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Malawian Children

The benefit of anti-worm therapy as part of the case management of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in the outpatient setting has not previously been studied. This study will compare recovery rates of children with SAM treated in the community with locally-produced ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) with and without prescribed albendazole as part of their case management.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 12-59 months old
• Kwashiorkor and/or Marasmus
• Qualified for home-based therapeutic feeding with RUTF

Exclusion Criteria:

• Obvious congenital or other malformation that makes child a poor candidate for feeding with RUTF
• Unable to consume test-dose of RUTF in clinic
• Parent refusal to participate and return for follow-up