INTRODUCTION In developing countries, malnutrition among children is a major public-health issue. It is one of the most serious global risk factors for illness and death (1,2). Malnutrition during childhood has an impact later in life as it is associated with significant functional impairment, reduced work capacity, and decreased economic productivity. Malnourished children are more likely to suffer from delayed psychological development, poor school performance, and lower intellectual achievements. In developing countries, 39% of children, aged less than five years (under-five children), are estimated to be chronically malnourished (2). Moreover, stunting, severe wasting, and intrauterine growth restriction together are responsible for 21% of deaths of under-five children worldwide (3). The rate of mortality among children with severe malnutrition is over 20% (3). In Malawi, the prevalence of malnutrition--defined as weight or height that falls more than two standard deviations below the normal--among children is estimated to be 49% (4,5). Despite this, enough focus has not still been given on interventions and treatment to promote a better nutritional status among children in developing countries (6).
