Research

Nutrition rehabilitation of undernourished children utilizing Spiruline and Misola

Jacques Simpore^1,2 , Fatoumata Kabore¹ , Frederic Zongo¹ , Deleli Dansou¹ , Augustin Bere¹ , Salvatore Pignatelli² , Daniela M Biondi³ , Giuseppe Ruberto³ and Salvatore Musumeci^4,5

¹  Unit of Formation and of Research in Sciences of Life and of the Earth, University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Africa

²  Medical Centre St Camille (CMSC), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Africa

³  Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (CNR), Via del Santuario 110, Valverde 95028, Italy

⁴  Department of Pharmacology, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Paediatrics, University of Sassari, Viale san Pietro 43b, Sassari 07100, Italy

⁵  Institute of Population Genetics, National Research Council (CNR), S.P. 95, Km 8.400 Loc Tramariglio, Alghero 07041, Italy

author email corresponding author email

Nutrition Journal 2006, 5:3doi:10.1186/1475-2891-5-3

Published:	23 January 2006

Abstract

Background

Malnutrition constitutes a public health problem throughout the world and particularly in developing countries.

Aims

The objective of the study is to assess the impact of an elementary integrator composed of Spiruline (Spirulina platensis) and Misola (millet, soja, peanut) produced at the Centre Medical St Camille (CMSC) of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on the nutritional status of undernourished children.

Materials and methods

550 undernourished children of less than 5 years old were enrolled in this study, 455 showed severe marasma, 57 marasma of medium severity and 38 kwashiorkor plus marasma. We divided the children randomly into four groups: 170 were given Misola (731 ± 7 kcal/day), 170 were given Spiruline plus traditional meals (748 ± 6 kcal/day), 170 were given Spiruline plus Misola (767 ± 5 kcal/day). Forty children received only traditional meals (722 ± 8 kcal/day) and functioned as the control group. The duration of this study was eight weeks.

Results and Discussion

Anthropometrics and haematological parameters allowed us to appreciate both the nutritional and biological evolution of these children. The rehabilitation with Spiruline plus Misola (this association gave an energy intake of 767 ± 5 kcal/day with a protein assumption of 33.3 ± 1.2 g a day), both greater than Misola or Spiruline alone, seems to correct weight loss more quickly.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that Misola, Spiruline plus traditional meals or Spiruline plus Misola are all a good food supplement for undernourished children, but the rehabilitation by Spiruline plus Misola seems synergically favour the nutrition rehabilitation better than the simple addition of protein and energy intake.