Improving ready-to-use therapeutic foods to help malnourished Kenyan children absorb iron
Official title: Maximizing the Benefits of Iron in Ready-to-use Therapeutic Foods for Malnourished Children in Kenya
Run by ETH Zurich · NCT07315295 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether changing the iron in ready-to-use therapeutic foods helps severely malnourished Kenyan children absorb iron better and recover from anemia.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 12 Months to 54 Months |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 68 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | ETH Zurich Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Msambweni, Kwale County and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 23, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | January 2, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07315295 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are children with severe or moderate acute malnutrition (WHZ < -3.0 for SAM or < -2.0 for MAM) who are clinically stable outpatients, pass an appetite test, and do not have severe anemia (hemoglobin >7 g/dL).
✕Probably not a fit
Children with severe anemia (hemoglobin ≤7 g/dL) or acute medical conditions requiring inpatient care are unlikely to benefit or be eligible for this project.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The project compares fractional iron absorption from ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) between healthy children and children with severe acute malnutrition, and follows malnourished children through an 80-day RUTF treatment. Stable isotopes will be used to measure fractional iron absorption on day 0 and again on days 20, 40 and 60 to track changes over time. Clinical visits and feeding will occur at a research facility in Msambweni, Kwale County, with biochemical analyses performed in Zurich. The aim is to pinpoint whether current RUTF formulations or absorption deficits explain limited impact on anemia and to inform safer, more effective formulations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to safer, more effective RUTF formulations that reduce anemia and iron-related diarrheal risk in severely malnourished children.
How similar studies have gone: Similar work has used stable isotopes to measure iron absorption and some modified RUTFs have shown improved iron outcomes elsewhere, but results are mixed and applying this approach specifically in Kenyan SAM children is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: malnourished children: * severe acute malnutrition (SAM): WHZ \< -3.0 * moderate acute malnutrition (MAM): WHZ \< -2.0 a * treated as outpatients (no acute medical conditions and a positive appetite test) healthy children: \- healthy: HAZ, WAZ and WHZ = 0 Exclusion Criteria (both groups): * Hemoglobin ≤7 g/dL * Presence of acute medical conditions requiring inpatient management
Where it's running
-
ETH/Oxford/JKUAT research facility
Msambweni, Kwale County, Kenya Recruiting -
ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Clinical Biopharmacy, Zurich, 8092
Zurich, Switzerland Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Suzane Nyilima, MSc
- Email: suzane.nyilima@gmail.com
- Phone: +254702836210
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.