Co-SAM: An adaptive multi-arm trial to improve clinical outcomes among children recovering from complicated severe acute malnutrition.
We believe there is an urgent need to improve recovery in children with complicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM) after they leave hospital, by tackling underlying medical and social causes of ill-health. In this project, we bring together two networks of researchers from southern and east Africa with extensive experience in SAM.
This Phase III trial will start in 2023, enrolling 1000+ children with complicated SAM in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya. This project is funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Five interventions:
- Standard of care (double size)
- Antimicrobial
- Reformulated ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF)
- Psychosocial
- Combined
Prior to launching the clinical trial we completed a series of work packages to shape our interventions. One of these involved investigating the psychosocial environments of children being discharged from hospital following an episode of severe acute malnutrition. You can read our qualitative reports here:
The Prendergast Group 