Effect of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Powder Supplementation in Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition in Gwalior District of Central India: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Child malnutrition is a major public health problem with a significant impact on child survival. In order to tackle this it is important to improve the nutritional quality of complementary and supplementary food while making it inexpensive and easily available. Moringa oleifera is a commonly grown local plant, with high nutritional and medicinal value, can be used as supplement. Aim: To assess the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf powder supplementation on children with Severe Acute malnutrition (SAM) during facility-based care and home-based care. Materials and Methods: This randomised controlled trial was conducted in the Severe Malnutrition Treatment Unit (SMTU) of Kamla Raja Hospital, Gwalior. A total of 100 children in the age group of 7 months -59 months admitted between November 2019 to October 2020, who fulfilled the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended criteria for identification of severe acute malnutrition were included in the study. The children were randomised to routine supplementation alone (control group) and routine supplementation with Moringa leaf powder (intervention group). The anthropometric data was collected at the time of admission to the SMTU, at the time of discharge and every 15 days post discharge for two months. Uunpaired t-test, Chi-square test and fisher exact were used for statistical analysis. Results: There was significant weight gain (p=0.012) in the intervention group as compared to the control group. Similarly the number of children with severe wasting were significantly less (p=0.032) in the intervention group at the end of two months followup. There was no significant difference in height, Head Circumference (HC), Chest Circumference (CC), Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), Subcutaneous Fat Assessment (SCFA), complications observed between both the groups and duration of hospital stay. Conclusion: The use of Moringa oleifera leaf powder supplementation resulted in improved weight gain and reduction in severe wasting at the end of two months. It has the potential to link both facilities based and home based care of malnourished children.