Gastrointestinal Tolerance of Under-five Children With Severe Acute Malnutrition to ONS Compared to F-75/F-100

The primary outcome of the study is to identify gastrointestinal tolerance of under-five children with severe acute malnutrition to ready-to-drink high energy (1.5 kcal/ml) and standard energy (1 kcal/ml) oral nutrition supplement (ONS) compared to Formula-75/Formula-100. The secondary outcomes of the study are weight gain, electrolyte profile and plasma amino acid profile at the beginning and the end of stabilization phase. In this randomized, controlled trial, 108 patients with severe acute malnutrition will be enrolled. Patients are randomly assigned to 3 groups (Formula-75/Formula-100, high energy ONS, and standard energy ONS) to undergo a two-week treatment. In order to ensure an adequate intake, nasogastric-tube will be placed for home enteral nutrition for at least throughout the two-week study period. Parent or caregiver will be asked to record daily intake, vomit, and defecation score using Bristol stool chart.