Effects of Prebiotics on Metagenomic Diversity and Abundance in Young Children With Acute Malnutrition

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB · Nov 30, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how prebiotics, which are special types of dietary fibers that feed the good bacteria in our gut, can help improve the health of young children who are experiencing acute malnutrition. Malnutrition is a serious issue that affects many children around the world, particularly in countries like Pakistan. The trial aims to understand how the gut microbiome, which is the community of microorganisms living in our intestines, varies among malnourished children and how it might affect their recovery and overall health.

To participate in this trial, children aged 6 to 59 months who are experiencing acute malnutrition (but are otherwise healthy) may be eligible. Parents will need to give consent for their child to join. Participants will have their gut bacteria studied to see how diverse and healthy it is. This research could help improve treatment for malnutrition and provide insights into how nutrition and environment affect children's health. It's important to note that children with severe malnutrition complications or those who have taken antibiotics recently will not be included in this study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Inclusion criteria: Age 6-59 months at enrolment;
• • Acute malnutrition without complications, as defined by the World Health Organization (i.e., children with mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) \<115 mm or weight-for-height z-score \<-3 or grade 1-2 bilateral edema who will be clinically well and alert with good appetite);
• • Parental consent for the child to participate.
• • Healthy children without any chronic or acute illness
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Presence of any complications of severe malnutrition (severe dehydration, severe anemia, severe pitting edema, anorexia, hypothermia, high pyrexia, acute lower respiratory infection, or hypoglycemia) or immunocompromised.
• • Children on antibiotic treatment for any disease in the last 3 months will be excluded.