10.3.2 Ready-to-use therapeutic food
Ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) is given during out-patient management of a severely malnourished child. The most commonly known brands of RUTF are Plumpy’nut® and BP-100® (see Figure 10.1). RUTF is ready to use, as its name indicates. That means it does not need cooking, or any other process before feeding the child. It is high energy food contained in a concentrated form, enriched with minerals and vitamins to replenish a severely malnourished child. Table 10.4 below shows you how much RUTF should be given to a child according to their weight in kg.
Figure 10.1 Plumpy’nut® and BP-100®. (Photo: UNICEF Ethiopia / Dr Tewoldeberhan Daniel)
| Class of weight (kg) | Plumpy’nut® | BP-100® | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sachet per day | sachet per week | bars per day | bars per week | ||
| 3.0-3.4 | 1¼ | 9 | 2 | 14 | |
| 3.5-4.9 | 1½ | 11 | 2½ | 18 | |
| 5.0-6.9 | 2 | 14 | 4 | 28 | |
| 7.0-9.9 | 3 | 21 | 5 | 35 | |
| 10.0-14.9 | 4 | 28 | 7 | 49 | |
| 15.0-19.9 | 5 | 35 | 9 | 63 | |
You should explain to the caregiver the following key messages about RUTF so they are able to help with the treatment.
- RUTF is a food and medicine for malnourished children only. It should not be shared
- For breastfed children, always give breastmilk before the RUTF and breastfeed on demand
- RUTF should be given before other foods. Give small regular meals of RUTF and encourage the child to eat often, every three to four hours
- Always offer plenty the child plenty of clean water to drink while eating RUTF
- The caregiver should use soap and water to wash their hands before feeding the child
- Keep food clean and covered
- Sick children get cold quickly, so it is important to keep the child covered and warm at all times.
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10.3.1 Admission procedures