Participants
edema, malnutrition
EDEMA, MILK ALLERGIES, MEDICAL COMPLICATION, MALNUTRITION
The study was conducted from 2 study sites at Walukuba and Buwenge health centers, Jinja, Eastern Uganda. With support from local village health teams, 12- to 59-month-old children with a HAZ <-2 and weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) ≥-3 were identified in villages surrounding the 2 health centers and referred to a study site for full assessment of eligibility. The age range was chosen to minimize interference with breastfeeding and to assess catch-up growth in children beyond 2 years of age. All children with severe acute malnutrition (mid-upper arm circumference [MUAC] <11.5 cm or WHZ <-3 or bipedal pitting edema) were referred for appropriate treatment at a nearby therapeutic center.Children were eligible if they were confirmed to have HAZ <-2, and age 12 to 59 months, lived in the catchment area, their caregivers were willing to return for follow-up visits and agreed to phone-follow-up, and home visits. Children with severe acute malnutrition, medical complications requiring hospitalization, a history of peanut or milk allergies, disabilities impeding ability to eat or impeding measurements of height were excluded. Furthermore, children were excluded if they participated in another study. Only 1 child was included per household.