SUCCESSFUL USE OF A CHICKEN-BASED DIET FOR THE TREATMENT OF SEVERELY MALNOURISHED CHILDREN WITH PERSISTENT DIARRHEA - A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED STUDY

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a chicken-based diet for the tr eatment of persistent diarrhea in severely malnourished children. Stud y design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind study that compared a chicken-based diet with elemental (Vivonex) and soy (Nursoy) diets, Ho spitalized children with third-degree malnutrition and persistent diar rhea, aged 3 to 36 months, were included. Diets were isocaloric and gi ven nasogastrically at 150 ml/kg per day in progressively increasing c oncentrations. Results: Fifty-six children were included (18 received Vivonex, 19 Nursoy, 19 chicken). They had a mean age of 6.4 +/- 4.4 mo nths, a mean weight of 3604 +/- 1232 gm, and a mean weight-for-age per centage of 51.4% +/- 7.2%. Sixty-four percent had associated condition s on admission to the hospital. Forty-one children (73.2%) were succes sfully treated (13 Vivonex, 13 Nursoy, 15 chicken). There were no diff erences in diarrheal outcomes, and all groups had significant weight g ain. Failure was independent of the diet and was associated with the p resence of infection on admission. There was a significantly higher ni trogen balance in the children from the chicken group (358.2 +/- 13 mg /kg per day) than in those receiving Vivonex (226.6 +/- 61) or Nursoy (291.4 +/- 111.6; p < 0.05) groups. Conclusions: The chicken-based die t was as effective as Vivonex or Nursoy. It is well tolerated, inexpen sive, and widely available and thus represents an effective and inexpe nsive alternative to the treatment of severely malnourished children w ith persistent diarrhea.