Caregiver training for screening malnutrition relapse in children

Mother Screening for Relapse Using Mid-upper Arm Circumference Among Children Recovered From Severe Acute Malnutrition (MAMAN)

Not applicable Interventional University of California, San Francisco · NCT06599580

This study is testing if training caregivers to measure their children's arm size can help catch malnutrition relapses in kids who have recently recovered from severe malnutrition.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment2400 (estimated)
Ages6 Months to 54 Months
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco Academic / other
Locations1 site (Nouna)
Trial IDNCT06599580 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of training caregivers to use mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements to screen for relapse of malnutrition in children aged 6-54 months who have recovered from severe acute malnutrition. The trial involves three groups: one with caregiver training and regular follow-ups, another with caregiver training and reduced follow-ups, and a control group receiving standard care without caregiver training. The study aims to determine if caregiver-led screening can improve detection of malnutrition relapse and enhance children's health outcomes. A total of 1200 caregiver-child dyads will be enrolled to assess the impact of this intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 6-54 months who have recently recovered from severe acute malnutrition and whose caregivers are willing to participate.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 6 months or older than 54 months, or those who have not recovered from severe acute malnutrition, will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to earlier detection and intervention for malnutrition relapse in children, improving their health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in caregiver-led screening for malnutrition, but this specific approach using MUAC in a larger population is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Caregiver's aged 18 years old or older or a legal guardian or a relative aged 18 or older
* Child aged 6-54 months
* Child has recovered from an episode of severe acute malnutrition per Burkinabè national guidelines (weight-for-height ≥ -2 and/or mid-upper arm circumference ≥ 12.5 cm in the past month, with the criterion used for admissions corresponding to the original admission criteria)
* Family is planning to stay in the study area for 6 months
* Appropriate consent from the caregiver or guardian.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Caregiver age under 18 years old, or legal guardian or relatives under 18 years old
* Child age \< 6 months or \> 54 months
* Twins/multiple births
* Children with feeding issues
* Did not recover from severe acute malnutrition in the past month
* Family is planning to move out of the study area in the next 6 months
* Caregiver or guardian refuses to provide consent

Where this trial is running

Nouna

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Malnutrition, ChildMalnutrition, InfantMalnutrition or Risk of MalnutritionHemoglobin Level MeasurementAnemiaMUACCaregiver screeningmalnutrition
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.