Actively Recruiting
Maximizing the Benefits of Iron in Ready-to-use Therapeutic Foods for Malnourished Children in Kenya
Led by ETH Zurich · Updated on 2026-01-02
68
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Reports from the Kenya Red Cross Society in Kwale County suggest that the current Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs) may have limited impact on malnutrition or anemia in children, possibly due to high iron content and poor iron absorption in severely acutely malnourished (SAM) children, which can cause dangerous diarrhea. This study aims to develop an improved RUTF treatment that addresses both acute malnutrition and anemia safely and effectively by assessing iron absorption in children with different nutritional statuses. The study compares healthy children with those suffering from moderate or severe acute malnutrition. Participants will receive RUTF containing a special form of iron (57Fe) to measure fractional iron absorption at multiple time points: Day 0, 20, 40, and 60. Malnourished children will undergo daily RUTF treatment for 80 days. The study tracks changes in iron absorption and nutritional status throughout this period. Participants will be monitored through measurements of fractional iron absorption, hemoglobin levels, serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, inflammatory markers, body weight, and height at scheduled days from the start until Day 80. These assessments will help researchers understand how malnutrition affects iron absorption and how the RUTF treatment impacts anemia and overall health. The study period extends from December 2025 to June 2026.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Maximizing the Benefits of Iron in Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods for Malnourished Children in Kenya
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Children aged between 1 month and 4.5 years
- Children with severe acute malnutrition (weight-for-height Z-score less than -3.0)
- Children with moderate acute malnutrition (weight-for-height Z-score less than -2.0)
- Children treated as outpatients with no acute medical conditions and a positive appetite test
- Healthy children with normal height-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-height measurements (Z-scores equal to 0)
You will not qualify if you...
- Hemoglobin level less than or equal to 7 g/dL
- Presence of acute medical conditions requiring inpatient management
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 80 days
Participants receive daily Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for nutritional support over the course of 80 days.
Visits on Day 0, Day 20, Day 40, Day 60, and Day 80 for assessments
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
ETH/Oxford/JKUAT research facility
Msambweni, Kwale County, Kenya
Actively Recruiting
2
ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Clinical Biopharmacy, Zurich, 8092
Zurich, Switzerland, 8006
Not Yet Recruiting
Research Team
S
Suzane Nyilima, MSc
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
2
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