Objectives
We evaluated the effect of home fortification with multiple micronutrient powders (MNP) on anaemia, growth and micronutrient status of young Amazonian children.
Methods
A pragmatic controlled trial was performed with a total of 240 children aged < 2 years. At study baseline, a control group (CG) of children 11 to 14 months was recruited in the routine healthcare for assessing anaemia, anthropometric and micronutrient status. Simultaneously, an intervention group (IG) of infants aged 6-8 mo was recruited in the same health centres to receive MNP daily in complementary feeding for over 2 months. Four to six months after enrolment, the two study groups were compared when the IG participants (n=112) had reached the age of the CG participants (n = 128), at Primary health centres in the city of Rio Branco, Brazilian Amazon.
Results
In the CG, the prevalence of anaemia [haemoglobin (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 < 0.70µmol/L) in CG were 20.31%, 72.44% and 18.55%, respectively. Six months after enrolment, in the IG (aged 11-14 months), the prevalence of anaemia, ID and VAD in IG were 15.18%, 25.23% and 4.67%, respectively. The IG had a lower likelihood of ID [PR (95% CI): 0.34 (0.24; 0.49)] and VAD; 0.25 (0.09, 0.64)].
Conclusions
Home fortification of complementary feeding delivered through primary healthcare was effective in reducing iron and vitamin A deficiencies among young Amazonian children.
