Background: Malnutrition in children is a global public health problem with wide implications. Malnourished children have increased risk of dying from infectious diseases The gut microbiota plays an important role in the regulation of the host’s metabolism ,immunity and in the extraction of energy from ingested food honey can exert the prebiotic effect in a synergistic mode of action and improve microbiota
Aim: To evaluate the effect of honey supplementation  in malnourished infants and children regarding anthropometric measurements ,bifidobacterium and lactobacillus count in stool. 
Methods: randomized single blinded case control prospective intervention study. Forty  malnourished children of both sexes were recruited. They were divided into  group I (20 patients) received   honey in dose of 2mg/kg daily for 1 month ,group II (20 patients)  no supplementation   Anthropometric measurements and Stool Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli counts by PCR were done to all patients at baseline and repeated  after  1 month of supplementation. 
Results: At baseline, the two malnourished groups 1 and 2 were matched as regards anthropometric measurements and stool bifidobacteria and lactobacilli count , follow up revealed significant increase in bifidobacteria  and lactobacilli in group I compared to group II ,weight gain and appetite were  significantly  higher in honey supplemented group also there was significant decrease in  frequency of infections  in group I compared to group II
Conclusion: Honey consumption in a group of malnourished children resulted in better weight gain, upregulation of beneficial bacteria and decreased frequency of infections,

EFFECT OF HONEY SUPPLEMENTATION ON MICROBIOTA OF MALNOURISHED CHILDREN: RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL