Response to malnutrition treatment in low weight-for-age children: Secondary analyses of children 6–59 months in the compas cluster randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) is not currently an admission criterion to therapeutic feeding programs, and children with low WAZ at high risk of mortality may not be admitted. We conducted a secondary analysis of RCT data to assess response to treatment according to WAZ and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and type of feeding protocol given: a simplified, combined protocol for severe and moderate acute malnutrition (SAM and MAM) vs. standard care that treats SAM and MAM, separately. Children with a moderately low MUAC (11.5–12.5 cm) and a severely low WAZ ( <11.5 cm), with/without a severely low WAZ ( < 11.5 and/or WAZ < −3.0.