This is one of the criteria for deciding if a patient should receive outpatient or inpatient hospital care. Poor appetite means a child is suffering from a serious infection and/or metabolic disorder. These patients’ lives are at risk, and must be referred to the inpatient therapeutic feeding center or hospital.
The child should be able to take the minimum amount required to maintain body weight. S/he should not be sent home if there is any risk of continued deterioration, on account of not taking enough RUTF.
How to carry out the appetite test
- The appetite test should be carried out at each visit for out-patients (particularly those who do not gain weight)
- It should be carried out carefully, in a quiet place.
- Explain the purpose of the test to the caregiver.
- S/he should wash his/her hands, as well as the child’s hands and face, sit comfortably and take the child on his/her lap.
- The RUTF should be offered either directly from the sachet, or by putting a small amount on the caregiver’s finger (the first approach is preferable in order to reduce the risk of contamination). The caregiver should offer the child the RUTF gently, without forcing him/her, and encourage the child regularly. If the child refuses it, the caregiver should continue to quietly encourage the child and take the time needed.
- For the children < 1 year and where the BP100 is used, make porridge by adding some water to the biscuit.
- The test is generally short, but may last up to 1 hour. The child must never be forced to take the RUTF.
- Drinking water must be given at the same time ( the RUTF paste/biscuit is thick and inedible without sufficient water)
After 1 hour, the child should have eaten at least:
| Peanut paste (sachet of 92g) |
| Minimum quantity |
⅛ to ¼ of the sachet |
| BP 100 (Bars) |
| Not applicable |
- |
| Peanut paste (sachet of 92g) |
| Minimum quantity |
¼ to ⅓ of the sachet |
| BP 100 (Bars) |
| Minimum quantity |
¼ to ½ |
| Peanut paste (sachet of 92g) |
| Minimum quantity |
¼ to ⅓ of the sachet |
| BP 100 (Bars) |
| Minimum quantity |
½ to ¾ |
| Peanut paste (sachet of 92g) |
| Minimum quantity |
⅓ to ½ of the sachet |
| BP 100 (Bars) |
| Minimum quantity |
½ to ¾ |
| Peanut paste (sachet of 92g) |
| Minimum quantity |
½ to ¾ of the sachet |
| BP 100 (Bars) |
| Minimum quantity |
¾ to 1 |
| Peanut paste (sachet of 92g) |
| Minimum quantity |
¾ to 1 sachet |
| BP 100 (Bars) |
| Minimum quantity |
1 to 1½ |
| Peanut paste (sachet of 92g) |
| Minimum quantity |
>1 sachet |
| BP 100 (Bars) |
| Minimum quantity |
>1½ |
The appetite test provides an ideal opportunity to observe mother-child interaction, detect any psychosocial problems and carry out health promotion activities.
Result of the appetite test
The result of the appetite test is considered to be “good or average” if the child takes approximately the volume (or more) indicated in the table above.
The appetite test failed if the child takes less than the volume of RUTF indicated in the table above. The child must then be referred to the hospital or inpatient therapeutic feeding center.
