IMPROVEMENT OF THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF MALNOURISHED CHILDREN (6-59 MONTHS) TREATED AT THE BÉTHANIE MATERNAL CHILD PROTECTION CENTRE IN N'DJAMENA (CHAD) USING PORRIDGE ENRICHED WITH MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF POWDER

Our study focuses on the improvement of the nutritional status of severely malnourished children (6-59 months) treated at the PMI of Béthanie in N'Djaména (Chad) with porridge enriched with Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOP). The objective of our study is to assess the effect of the recovery regimes of malnourished children by taking daily porridge enriched with PFMo. Two groups were formed from 60 hospitalized infants divided into two batches. In addition to their usual diet served at the PMI, one group received the PFMo-fortified porridge (GpAM) and the other, chosen as a control, received the non-fortified porridge (GpSM). The nutritional status of the children was assessed by anthropometric indicators. At the end of the study, the results show a significant improvement in the children's nutritional status, both for wasting in the GpAM and for underweight, as well as their brachial perimeter (9.85 ± 1.24 to 12.10 ± 0.40). This improvement was also observed in weight gain, at the end of the study, the average daily weight gain observed during recovery was significantly higher in the GpAM (17.19 ± 4.70 g/kg/d) than in the GpSM (9.74 ± 3.60 g/kg/d) (p < 0.05). Finally, we analysed the two infant flours (F1 and F2) that were used to prepare the porridges for the two groups (GpAM and GpSM). The study of their nutritional value gives for F1, rates of 17.69% of proteins, 5.80% of lipids and 70% of carbohydrates with an energy value of 403 Kcal. For F2 flour, the levels are 11.02% protein, 5.0% fat and 77.7% carbohydrates with an energy value of 399 Kcal. The comparison with a standard flour shows that the nutrient and energy contents are satisfactory and comply with the standards set by the WHO.