Effectiveness of Cyproheptadine Hydrochloride Against Appetite to Improve Children's Nutritional Status

Effectiveness of Cyproheptadine Hydrochloride Against Appetite to Improve Children's Nutritional Status

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the benefits of Cyproheptadine hydrochloride in increasing appetite as well as its effect on weight gain in children aged 1-5 years who have difficulty eating. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Is Cyproheptadine hydrochloride useful in increasing appetite in children?
• Is the Cyproheptadine hydrochloride dose given effective and efficient regarding the improvement of a child's appetite? Can giving Cyproheptadine hydrochloride improve nutritional status of children?
• How long can Cyproheptadine hydrochloride be given to increase appetite in children and what are the side effects?

Participants will:

• Take the Cyproheptadine hydrochloride every day, twice a day for 4 weeks (intervention group); take the placebo (control group)
• Have their ECAST score (score for measuring appetite in children), anthropometric measurement before and after intervention at the second visit (2 weeks), third visit (4 weeks and stop intervention), and fourth visit (8 weeks after stopping the intervention)

This study was conducted in a hospital in the Jakarta region, RS Citra Arafiq. All patients who met the inclusion criteria and had informed consent will be assessed for appetite scoring (ECAST) by the research team and diet analysis as a patient baseline before conducting research. Scoring of appetite and daily calorie achievement was carried out by the team researcher. All patients underwent anthropometric measurements (body weight, height) carried out by the team.

The intervention was carried out for 4 weeks, divided into two groups randomly. During the intervention, caregivers are asked to carry out daily observations and recordings regarding food intake (food records) and weighing 2nd week, 4th week and 8th week. Every patient who meets the inclusion criteria receives education regarding correct feeding rules. Data taken will be analyzed using IBM Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS).

Inclusion criterias:

1. Experiencing decreased appetite and/or difficulty eating
2. Poor nutritional status and/or weight faltering
3. The parents agree to participate in the research by signing an informed consent.
4. Patients have National Health Insurance or other health insurance.

Exclusion criterias:

1. Major congenital abnormalities
2. CNS disorders (Cerebral palsy)
3. Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM)
4. GERD (Gastro esophageal reflux disease)
5. Severe acute malnutrition