Effectiveness of High-dose Zinc Therapy and Albendazole in the Treatment of Environmental Enteropathy

Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial Evaluating the Impact of High-dose Zinc Therapy and Albendazole in the Treatment of Sub-clinical Environmental Enteropathy in Rural Malawian Children

The purpose of this study is to investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of high-dose zinc therapy and de-worming albendazole as separate interventions in restoring normal gut absorptive and immunological function as measured by the dual sugar permeability test and additional biomarkers in 1-3 year old rural Malawian children at high risk for Environmental Enteropathy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1-3 years of age
• Lives in study villages

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to drink 100 mL of sugar water
• Demonstrating evidence of severe acute malnutrition, WHZ < or = -3, presence of bi-pedal pitting edema
• Apparent need for acute medical treatment for an illness or injury
• Parent refusal to participate and return for 7-week follow-up