BACKGROUND: Iron-deficiency anemia is widespread among young children in the Kyrgyz Republic, and there is an urgent need to identify an effective intervention to address this significant public health problem. OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of a 2-month intervention with daily home fortification of complementary food using micronutrient powder (Sprinkles) in reducing anemia among children 6 to 36 months of age in the Kyrgyz Republic. METHODS: In this cluster-randomized, community-based effectiveness trial conducted in three regions of the Kyrgyz Republic, 24 clusters of children aged 6 to 36 months were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group (12 clusters, n = 1,103) received 60 sachets of micronutrient powder (12.5 mg elemental iron), which were taken as one sachet daily for 2 months. The control group (12 clusters, n = 1,090) did not receive micronutrient powder until after the study period. Blood hemoglobin concentration was assessed at the start and end of the intervention. RESULTS: From baseline to follow-up, the mean hemoglobin concentration in the intervention group increased by 7 g/L, whereas it decreased by 2 g/L in the control group (p < .001). The prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin < 110 g/L) in the intervention group decreased from 72% at baseline to 52% at follow-up, whereas it increased from 72% to 75% in the control group (p < .001). Compliance with the intervention was high, with children consuming on average 45 of the 60 sachets given. CONCLUSIONS: A course of 60 Sprinkles micronutrient powder sachets taken daily for 2 months is effective in improving hemoglobin levels and reducing the prevalence of anemia among young children in the Kyrgyz Republic.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Iron-deficiency anemia is widespread among young children in the Kyrgyz Republic, and there is an urgent need to identify an effective intervention to address this significant public health problem. OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of a 2-month intervention with daily home fortification of complementary food using micronutrient powder (Sprinkles) in reducing anemia among children 6 to 36 months of age in the Kyrgyz Republic. METHODS: In this cluster-randomized, community-based effectiveness trial conducted in three regions of the Kyrgyz Republic, 24 clusters of children aged 6 to 36 months were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group (12 clusters, n = 1,103) received 60 sachets of micronutrient powder (12.5 mg elemental iron), which were taken as one sachet daily for 2 months. The control group (12 clusters, n = 1,090) did not receive micronutrient powder until after the study period. Blood hemoglobin concentration was assessed at the start and end of the intervention. RESULTS: From baseline to follow-up, the mean hemoglobin concentration in the intervention group increased by 7 g/L, whereas it decreased by 2 g/L in the control group (p < .001). The prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin < 110 g/L) in the intervention group decreased from 72% at baseline to 52% at follow-up, whereas it increased from 72% to 75% in the control group (p < .001). Compliance with the intervention was high, with children consuming on average 45 of the 60 sachets given. CONCLUSIONS: A course of 60 Sprinkles micronutrient powder sachets taken daily for 2 months is effective in improving hemoglobin levels and reducing the prevalence of anemia among young children in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Authors: M K Serdula; E Lundeen; E K Nichols; C Imanalieva; M Minbaev; T Mamyrbaeva; A Timmer; N J Aburto Journal: Eur J Clin Nutr Date: 2013-03-27 Impact factor: 4.016
Authors: Parminder S Suchdev; Maria Elena D Jefferds; Erika Ota; Katharina da Silva Lopes; Luz Maria De-Regil Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2020-02-28
Authors: Enju Liu; Christopher Duggan; Karim P Manji; Roland Kupka; Said Aboud; Ronald J Bosch; Rodrick R Kisenge; James Okuma; Wafaie W Fawzi Journal: J Int AIDS Soc Date: 2013-08-13 Impact factor: 5.396