Multiple micronutrients in powder delivered through primary health care reduce iron and vitamin A deficiencies in young Amazonian children
AbstractObjectiveWe evaluated the effect of home fortification with multiple micronutrient powder (MNP) on anaemia and micronutrient status of young Amazonian children.DesignA pragmatic controlled trial was performed. A control group (CG) of children aged 11–14 months was recruited in the routine of primary health-care centres for assessing anaemia and micronutrient status. At the same time, an intervention group (IG) of infants aged 6–8 months was recruited in the same health centres to receive MNP daily in complementary feeding for 2 months. The IG children were assessed 4–6 months after enrolment (n112) when they had reached the age of the CG participants (n128) for comparisons.SettingPrimary health centres in Rio Branco city, Brazilian Amazon.SubjectsA total of 240 children aged<2 years.ResultsIn the CG, the prevalence of anaemia (Hb<110 g/l), iron deficiency (ID; plasma ferritin <12 μg/l or soluble transferrin receptor >8·3 mg/l) and vitamin A deficiency (VAD; serum retinol <0·70 μmol/l) was 20·3 %, 72·4 % and 18·6 %, respectively. Among the IG participants (aged 11–14 months), the prevalence of anaemia, ID and VAD was 15·2 %, 25·2 % and 4·7 %, respectively. The IG had a lower likelihood of ID (prevalence ratio (95 % CI): 0·34 (0·24, 0·49)) and VAD (0·25 (0·09, 0·64)).ConclusionsHome fortification of complementary feeding delivered through primary health care was effective in reducing iron and vitamin A deficiencies among young Amazonian children.