UCL severe acute malnutrition research published

UCL researchers have undertaken a study, published in The Lancet of 11 July, to ascertain whether the treatment of severe acute malnutrition could be improved through the use of new types of therapeutic foods. UCL Centre for International Health & Development Research Fellow Marko Kerac, together with Andrew Seal, and honorary fellow Steve Collins were part of the 'PRONUT' study team, which was led by Valid International UK and conducted in partnership with The College of Medicine, Malawi. The project aimed to assess the clinical and nutritional efficacy of probiotics and prebiotics in the treatment of severe acute malnutrition in a setting where HIV is common. Probiotics are live bacteria, which are considered beneficial and not harmful. Prebiotics are non-digestible fibres which may work by stimulating the growth of 'good' bacteria in the intestines. When used together, they work to promote health and wellbeing over and above the provision of essential food nutrients. The study was conducted over a nine-month period at MOYO nutrition rehabilitation unit, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi and recruited 795 Malawian children aged between five months and 13 years old.