Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Ages 6–59 months at enrolment

Acute malnutrition without complications, as defined by the WHO (i.e., children with MUAC < 115 mm or weight-for-height z-score < − 3 or grade 1–2 bilateral edema who will be clinically well and alert with good appetite

Presence of any complications of severe malnutrition (severe dehydration, severe anemia, severe pitting edema, anorexia, hypothermia, high pyrexia, acute lower respiratory infection, or hypoglycemia) or immune compromised

Parental consent for the child to participate

Declined parental consent

Healthy children without any chronic or acute illness

Children on antibiotic treatment for any disease in the last 3 months