Using azithromycin to help treat severe malnutrition in children
Official title: Azithromycin as adjunctive treatment for uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition: the AMOUR trial
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10997402 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether adding azithromycin to the usual treatment helps children with severe acute malnutrition gain weight and get healthier, and it will involve kids in sub-Saharan Africa who are facing this challenge.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | December 8, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $619,411 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111532-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997402 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with complicated severe acute malnutrition or those who are not within the specified age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of azithromycin as an additional treatment for children suffering from uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM). The study will randomly assign participants to receive either azithromycin, amoxicillin, or a placebo to assess improvements in weight gain, nutritional recovery, and gut health. By addressing potential underlying infections that may hinder recovery, the research aims to enhance treatment outcomes for these vulnerable children. The trial will take place in sub-Saharan Africa, where the burden of malnutrition is significant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved recovery rates and reduced mortality for children with severe acute malnutrition.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown mixed results with antibiotics for malnutrition, but the use of azithromycin has demonstrated promise in reducing child mortality in similar populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oldenburg, Catherine Elizabeth — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Oldenburg, Catherine Elizabeth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Azithromycin added to standard care for kids with severe malnutrition in Africa
This project tests whether giving azithromycin as an extra antibiotic to young children with uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition improves weight gain and recovery compared with amoxicillin or placebo.
-
Gut-Liver-Bone clues to growth problems in malnourished children
A study in malnourished children and a mouse model looks at how the gut, liver, and bone interact to cause growth faltering and tests a bile-acid therapy that could improve growth and reduce inflammation.
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Azithromycin adjunct in kids with severe malnutrition in Africa
A randomized trial will compare azithromycin, amoxicillin, and placebo as adjunctive antibiotics for children with uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition to see which supports better weight gain and recovery.
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Digital tools to fight adolescent malnutrition in schools (low-resource settings)
A school-based mobile health approach helps younger adolescents in low-resource areas improve nutrition and health behaviors.
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How caregiver mental health affects recovery from severe malnutrition in young children
This project will track caregivers' depression and anxiety while their children get treatment for severe acute malnutrition to learn how caregiver mental health relates to child recovery and relapse.
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Preventing Growth Problems in Poor Children by Treating Small Intestine Bacteria
A phase II effort in urban Bangladesh tests a treatment plan to stop growth failure and malnutrition in young children by addressing small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.