Objectives
To examine effects of lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) and micronutrient powder (MNP) on anemia, iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in 18-month-old Bangladeshi children.
Methods
We enrolled n=4011 pregnant women in a cluster-randomized effectiveness trial with four arms: ⢠Comprehensive LNS: LNS (20mg iron) for women during pregnancy and 6 mo postpartum, and LNS (9mg iron) for children from 6 to 24 months of age (LNS-C)⢠Child LNS: Iron and folic acid for women during pregnancy (60mg iron) and 6 mo postpartum (30mg iron) (IFA); LNS-C for children⢠Child MNP: IFA for women; MNP (10mg iron) for children from 6 to 24 months⢠Control: IFA for women; no child supplement.Hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) were assessed in a subsample of children (n=1128) at 6 and 18 months to identify anemia (Hb <110g/L), ID (ferritin <12µg/L or sTfR>8.3mg/L), and IDA.
Results
Hb and ferritin concentrations were higher and sTfR concentrations were lower in the Comprehensive LNS, Child LNS and Child MNP arms, compared to the control arm.Comprehensive LNS, Child LNS and Child MNP interventions were associated with reduced odds of anemia (OR [95% CI]: 0.45 [0.24-0.83], 0.57 [0.31-1.06], and 0.58 [0.32-1.06], respectively), ID (0.46 [0.29-0.72], 0.66 [0.41-1.04], and 0.69 [0.44-1.08], respectively), and IDA (0.33 [0.19-0.58], 0.52 [0.30-0.92], and 0.62 [0.36-1.08], respectively).
Conclusions
LNS and MNP supplementation increased children’s Hb and iron status. LNS provided to both mother and child significantly reduced anemia, ID and IDA; LNS provided only to the child also reduced IDA in young Bangladeshi children.
