WHO/UNICEF recommended therapeutic food versus home based therapeutic food in the management of severe acute malnutrition: A randomized controlled trial.

Malnutrition is a major public health problem especially in the developing countries. The objective of the study was to compare WHO/UNICEF recommended therapeutic food with home based therapeutic food in the management of severe acute malnutrition. It was a randomized controlled trial at tertiary care level hospital with nutritional rehabilitation centre. Children (6 month to 5 years) having severe acute malnutrition were included in the study. Group A (n=74 children) was given WHO recommended therapeutic food and group B (n=75 children) was given home based therapeutic food. The mean rate of weight gain, gain in height and increase in mid-upper arm circumference were significantly higher (p