High-Oleic RUTF Trial
Comparing therapeutic-food formulations for severe acute malnutrition and subsequent neurodevelopment.
Why this research began
Therapeutic foods save lives, but fat composition may influence brain development and longer-term recovery.
What the study asks
Can changing fat quality improve outcomes beyond short-term nutritional rehabilitation?
How the research works
Randomized comparison of standard peanut-based RUTF and high-oleic formulations, including DHA/EPA enrichment.
Who contributes
Young children with severe acute malnutrition treated through rural sites.
Where it takes place
Southern Malawi.
Study objectives
Compare standard and high-oleic RUTF.
Evaluate DHA/EPA enrichment.
Connect recovery with longer-term neurodevelopment.
Principal and contributing research team
Status and study timeline
- 01Formulation development
- 02Randomized treatment
- 03Nutritional recovery
- 04Fatty-acid and neurodevelopment assessment
Participating and collaborating institutions
Publications and findings
task_altThe research extended therapeutic-food evaluation beyond weight recovery to fatty-acid status and neurodevelopment.
Selected publications will be linked after the study record has been verified and approved.
Related news, documents and contact
Related updates
No related public updates have been published yet.
Study documents
Approved protocols, public summaries and shareable study materials are published through the research resources library.
Browse research resources arrow_forwardResearch contact
Contact MNRG for collaboration, study information or approved document requests.
Contact the research team arrow_forwardWhy it matters
Outcomes connect recovery and growth with fatty-acid status and MDAT-assessed neurodevelopment.