BEECH Microbiome

Two hundred and ninety-seven (297) children aged 0-18 months with stunting (length-for-age z-score (LAZ) <-2), wasting (weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) < -2), or underweight (weight-for-length z-score (WLZ) < -2) were enrolled in the BEECH study between August 2016 and June 2019. They were provided with nutritional supplementation, including high energy protein supplement (corn-soy blend), a daily egg, and a multiple micronutrient sprinkle (Nutromix, Hexagon Nutrition, Chennai, India) and followed up for at least 6 months. Children (n=118) who did not show consecutive positive linear growth for at least 4 months and whose LAZ remained below -2 were declared non-responsive, investigated for other causes of growth failure, and then referred for endoscopy. Duodenal aspirates were collected from 53 children during endoscopy procedures for 16S rRNA sequencing.