Could antibiotics save malnourished kids after hospital?

NCT ID NCT05994742

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

Severe acute malnutrition affects millions of children worldwide and often leads to death after hospital discharge. This phase 3 trial tests whether giving a combination of antibiotics (rifampicin, azithromycin, isoniazid, and vitamin B6) for several weeks can lower the risk of death, re-hospitalization, or poor nutritional recovery. About 674 children aged 6–59 months with complicated malnutrition will be enrolled across multiple sites.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Rifampicin, Azithromycin, Isoniazid, and Pyridoxine (antibiotics and vitamin B6)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could lead to a simple antibiotic regimen that reduces deaths and hospital stays in malnourished children after discharge.

What could go wrong

This is a single trial with 674 children; results may not apply to all settings. Antibiotics can cause side effects or resistance.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Child Nutrition Disorders HIV infectious disease nutritional deficiency disease protein-energy malnutrition Severe Acute Malnutrition

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Chitungwiza Central Hospital

    Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Coast General

    Mombasa, Kenya

  • Homa Bay

    Homa Bay, Kenya

  • Matero Hospital

    Lusaka, Zambia

  • Mbagathi Hospital

    Mbagathi, Kenya

  • Migori Referral Hospital

    Migori, Kenya

  • Parirenyatwa Hospital

    Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Sally Mugabe Hospital

    Harare, Zimbabwe

  • UTH - University Teaching Hospital

    Lusaka, Zambia