Effect of Honey Supplementation on Plasma Levels of Short Chain Fatty Acids in Malnurished Children

Abstract Background: Malnutrition in children is a global public health problem with wide implications. It is estimated that malnutrition is the underlying cause of 45% of global deaths in children below 5 years of age. Honey, has antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunomodulator and anticancer effects. Additionally, honey is appropriate synbiotic combinations can be more effective in benefiting the host than individually administering probiotic or prebiotic. Aim of Study: To evaluate effect of honey supplementation on plasma levels of short chain fatty acids in Malnurished childrenand to evaluate honey supplementation on malnurished infants and children regarding anthropometric measurements. Material and Methods: An interventional study. Forty patients of both sexes, aged 6 months to 2 years, were randomizally collected into two equal groups [intervention group 20 patients] and [control group 20 patients]. The study was conducted at Children Hospital of Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt during the period from 2018 to 2019. The grading of malnutrition was based on WHO z-score. The dietary intervention consisted ofhoney in a dose of 2ml/kg/day for 8 weeks. Main outcome measures: Evaluate effect of honey supplementation on malnourished children regarding plasma levels of short chain fatty acidsand anthropometric measurements. Results: Honey consumption in a group of malnourished children resulted in a positive effects as improving anthropo-metric measures and increase short chain fattyplasa levels. Conclusion: Honey intervention in a group of children with moderate to severe malnutrition resulted in positive effects on Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) plasma levels andanthropometric measures, further studies that include a larger number of patients are recommended toconfirm that honey, has beneficial effects, as a complementary agent, in children with Malnutrition.