Successful use of a soya-maize mixture in the treatment of kwashiorkor

Abstract

Forty-eight children aged 5 years or less admitted consecutively with a clinical diagnosis of kwashiorkor were randomly allocated to two groups. One group was treated with milk while the other group was fed soya-maize porridge; both groups received the same supportive treatment. The recovery rate in both groups was comparable. Protein intake and the rate of rise in serum albumin and transferrin concentrations were greater in the milk-fed group. The incidence of diarrhoea was significantly less in the children fed soya-maize. Soya-maize porridge is recommended as an effective and inexpensive treatment for kwashiorkor.