Effectiveness of Moringa oleifera in combating mild and moderate malnutrition in pediatric age group

Malnutrition is brought on by a multitude of causes, Food insecurity, lack of education, poverty, parasitic infestation and impure drinking water these are some of them. Considerable investments have been made by governments and aid agencies in programs designed to prevent malnutrition. Two sets of requirements are suggested for malnutrition management. First are the requirements for rehabilitation with the use of a variety of appropriately processed locally available food or rehabilitation foods are being formulated to treat moderately malnourished children. Moringa oleifera have demonstrated a multitude of attributes. It has an impressive range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value, successful treatment of malnourished children with Moringa has been well-documented in Moringa project in south-western Senegal. There is no rigorous clinical trial has tested its efficacy for treating malnutrition. Objective of the study is to investigate the effect of Moringa olifera powder for treating mild and moderate malnutrition among sample of children in pediatric age group. Subjects: This an experimental clinical trial carried out on 6o child in nutritional center as an out patients. Inclusion criteria include pediatric age group(4-12) both sexes are involved patients was malnourished based on diagnostic criteria( WHO Z score). Children were categorized according to height Z score to normal (+2 to -2 SD), and stunted (< -2SD) moderate(< -2SD> 3SD) severe (< -3SD ) and according to weight Z score to normal (+2 to -2 SD, wasted (< -2SD) moderate(< -2SD> 3SD) severe (< -3SD). Exclusion criteria include children with severe malnutrition, patients suffering any serious hepatic, renal or cardiac disease and not having diabetes mellitus or serious infections or short stature due to endocrine or other chronic systemic disease or hereditary bone dysplasia. Methods: Ready prepared Moringa olifera powder was used as directed by pharmaceutical company instruction 10mg added to 1cup of fruit juice taken twice daily between meals was prescribed to our patients for 40d. Growth was monitored and recorded before and after intake of Moringa olifera powder. Results: After intervention, cases gained more weight than controls yet, it was not statistically significant (P 0.07). Also, there was no statistical difference between cases and controls regarding weight after intervention and BMI after intervention (P 0.89 and 0.93) respectively. There was dietary inadequacy regarding total caloric intake with high intake of protein, COH and adequate intake of fat. Regarding micro nutrients there was inadequate intake of vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, calcium and zinc with adequate intake of Iron. Conclusion: Usage Moringa olifera powder adding no significant clinical advantage over the traditional ways of management moderate malnutrition in limited clinical trail among a sample of children. [Salwa M. Saleh and Hoda A.Abdel Salam. Effectiveness of Moringa oleifera in combating mild and moderate malnutrition in pediatric age group. N Y Sci J 2014;7(3):69-79]. (ISSN: 1554-0200). http://www.sciencepub. net/newyork. 11