OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of complementary food supplements with protein and multi-micronutrients on hemoglobin and anemia in infants and young children. METHODS: In 5 poor counties of Gansu, 984 children aged 6-12 months were enrolled and divided into two groups. In addition to the usual home-made complementary food, all the children were fed one sachet of either Formula I or Formula II supplements each day. Protein and micronutrients were provided in Formula I, while the same energy intake was secured in Formula II as in Formula I. A massive dose of vitamin A was supplemented to all the children every 6 months. Hemoglobin test was done at the same time. RESULTS: Prevalence of anemia was about 35% in both Formula I and Formula II group at baseline, and there were no differences in hemoglobin concentration between the two groups. During the 6-month and 12-month supplementation, hemoglobin of children in Formula I group was higher than that in Formula II group (P < 0.05), and hemoglobin increase in Formula I group was significantly higher than that in Formula II group (P < 0.001). After 6- and 12-month supplementation, the prevalence of anemia in Formula I group dropped to 19.1% and 8.2% respectively, and it was 28.0% and 12.4% in Formula 2 group. The prevalence of anemia in Formula I group was significantly lower than that in Formula II group (P < 0.05). After adjusting age and hemoglobin level at baseline, the hemoglobin increase at age of 24 months in formula 1 group was higher (10.7 g/L vs 7.9 g/L, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Micronutrient fortified complementary food supplements, with large-dose vitamin A, is effective for children aged 6-12 months in terms of iron deficiency prevention.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of complementary food supplements with protein and multi-micronutrients on hemoglobin and anemia in infants and young children. METHODS: In 5 poor counties of Gansu, 984 children aged 6-12 months were enrolled and divided into two groups. In addition to the usual home-made complementary food, all the children were fed one sachet of either Formula I or Formula II supplements each day. Protein and micronutrients were provided in Formula I, while the same energy intake was secured in Formula II as in Formula I. A massive dose of vitamin A was supplemented to all the children every 6 months. Hemoglobin test was done at the same time. RESULTS: Prevalence of anemia was about 35% in both Formula I and Formula II group at baseline, and there were no differences in hemoglobin concentration between the two groups. During the 6-month and 12-month supplementation, hemoglobin of children in Formula I group was higher than that in Formula II group (P < 0.05), and hemoglobin increase in Formula I group was significantly higher than that in Formula II group (P < 0.001). After 6- and 12-month supplementation, the prevalence of anemia in Formula I group dropped to 19.1% and 8.2% respectively, and it was 28.0% and 12.4% in Formula 2 group. The prevalence of anemia in Formula I group was significantly lower than that in Formula II group (P < 0.05). After adjusting age and hemoglobin level at baseline, the hemoglobin increase at age of 24 months in formula 1 group was higher (10.7 g/L vs 7.9 g/L, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Micronutrient fortified complementary food supplements, with large-dose vitamin A, is effective for children aged 6-12 months in terms of iron deficiency prevention.
Authors: Yanfeng Zhang; Qiong Wu; Wei Wang; Michelle Helena van Velthoven; Suying Chang; Huijun Han; Min Xing; Li Chen; Robert W Scherpbier Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2016-10-31 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Qiong Wu; Yanfeng Zhang; Suying Chang; Wei Wang; Michelle Helena van Velthoven; Huijun Han; Min Xing; Li Chen; Xiaozhen Du; Robert W Scherpbier Journal: J Glob Health Date: 2017-06 Impact factor: 4.413