Clinical Trial

Maximizing the Benefits of Iron in Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods for Malnourished Children in Kenya

Study acronym: SAMI
Recruiting
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Record status
This record was last updated January 2, 2026 (before its estimated June 30, 2026 completion). Its status may not reflect the trial's current state.
Summary
Reports from the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) in Kwale County, southern Kenya, indicate a limited impact of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs) on malnutrition or anemia. The current RUTF formulation may have an excessively high iron content. In severely acutely malnourished (SAM) children, iron cannot be properly absorbed, leading to life-threatening diarrhea. The overall aim of this project is to develop an improved RUTF treatment that addresses acute malnutrition and anemia in children, ensuring both safety and efficacy. Specifically, to assess the impact of malnutrition on fractional iron absorption (FIA) from RUTFs in children, by comparing healthy children to those with acute malnutrition and by tracking changes in FIA in malnourished children over the course of treatment.
Trial Details
NCT Number NCT07315295
Lead Sponsor ETH Zurich
Conditions Iron Absorption, Iron Deficiencies, Severly Acutely Malnourished Children, Malnutrition in Children, Anemia
Enrollment 68 participants
Start Date 2025-12-23
Primary Completion 2026-06-30 (estimated)
Study Completion 2026-06-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov 2026-01-02