Maternal Nutrition Education for Children with Sickle Cell Disease
(PMC-SCD Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byLauren R. Klein, MD, MS

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?The investigators are studying how to prevent malnutrition in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in northern Nigeria. Community health workers will teach mothers about nutritious local foods that might help children grow better than the usual advice from doctors. The investigators will enroll 148 children with SCD aged 6 to 18 months old. The investigators will determine if their weight and diet improve and check for low vitamin A levels. This information will help us find better ways to improve growth for children with SCD.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for children aged 6 to 18 months with confirmed sickle cell disease (SCD) in northern Nigeria. It aims to prevent malnutrition by educating mothers on nutritious local foods, as opposed to standard advice from doctors.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with sickle cell disease.

My child is between 6 to 18 months old.

Participant Groups

The study compares the effectiveness of maternal nutrition education against standard care in preventing malnutrition among young children with SCD. The child's growth, diet quality, and vitamin A levels will be monitored to assess improvement.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Standard Care plus Maternal Nutrition EducationExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

Mothers whose infants are assigned to this group will be provided individually by a community health worker during weeks 0, 8, and 16. In addition to receiving nutrition counseling, maternal nutrition education will emphasize utilizing locally available foods to enhance the nutritional well-being of young children and families, all while respecting local cultural and religious customs. To reinforce these educational messages, visual aids will be incorporated. The following educational messages will be addressed: 1. appropriate feeding frequency 2. dietary diversity using local foods 3. Complementary food preparation 4. adequate portions 5. individualized, tailored economic education regarding the cost of purchasing foods that can fill nutrient gaps (self-efficacy)

Group II: Standard Care OnlyActive Control1 Intervention

Mothers whose infants are assigned to the control group will receive standard nutrition education from the provider at the SCD clinic during weeks 0, 8, and 16.