240 likes | 344 Views
Randomized comparison of 3 types of micronutrient supplements for home fortification of complementary foods in Ghana: effects on growth and motor development. Authors: Seth Adu-Afarwah , Anna Lartey , Kenneth H Brown, Stanley Zlotking , André Briend , and Kathryn G Dewey.
E N D
Randomized comparison of 3 types of micronutrient supplements for home fortification of complementary foods in Ghana: effects on growth and motor development Authors: Seth Adu-Afarwah, Anna Lartey, Kenneth H Brown, Stanley Zlotking, André Briend, and Kathryn G Dewey Presented by Brittany Washington
Introduction • Complementary feeding – 6 to 24 mo. • Low micronutrient content of complementary foods in disadvantaged populations has been associated with • Growth faltering • Increased morbidity • Delayed motor milestone acquisition
Possible low-cost solution = home fortification of complimentary foods with multiple micronutrient supplements • 3 types of multiple micronutrient supplements: • Sprinkles (SP), powder, 9 vitamins & minerals • Nutritabs (NT), crushable tablet, 16 V&M • Nutributter (NB), peanut-based fortified spread, 19 V&M, with added energy from fat (linoleic and α-linolenic)
Rationale • Purpose = to compare these 3 supplements and determine whether higher content of micronutrients and/or macronutrients would give more positive growth results in infants from 6-12 months • Hypothesis = multiple micronutrient fortification of complementary foods would increase growth and the effect would be greatest with added energy from fat
Methods • The community-based randomized study was carried out in Koforidua, Ghana between February 2004 and June 2005 • 313/409 eligible infants were assigned to receive SP, NT, or NB • 96/409 eligible infants were recruited for the nonintervention group (NI) at 12 mo.
Micronutrient supplements • Designed to generally provide the amounts of key nutrients needed from complementary foods • SP dose = 1 satchet/d • NT dose = 1 tablet/d (came in plastic bags) • NB dose = 20 g/d (came in foil packs with screw caps, net wt = 200g)
Procedures • Parents of selected infants were visited to verify eligibility, explain protocol, and obtain consent • Supplements delivered weekly • Mothers instructed to administer daily dose in a single meal, 7 days/week, mixed with 1-2 tbsp of food • Supplied cups and spoons
Data collection • Background data collected during recruitment • Weekly collection of daily supplement consumption data and morbidity data (diarrhea, symptoms of respiratory infections, fever) • Monthly collection of 24-h dietary recall data, used to calculate energy intake from complementary foods • At 6, 9, and 12 mo., anthropometric data was obtained
Data collection • Calculated weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ), and weight-for-length (WLZ) z-scores using WHO 2006 Child Growth Standards • At 12 mo., 4 motor milestones were assessed: • Standing with assistance • Walking with assistance • Standing independently • Walking independently
Results – Monthly 24-h recall • When the energy contribution of NB was included, energy intake was significantly greater in the NB group (~85 kcal/d)
Results – Mean (+/- SE) absolute weight gain from 6-9 and 9-12 mo.
Results - Mean (+/- SE) absolute length gain from 6-9 and 9-12 mo.
Discussion • Multiple micronutrient interventions alone may not improve growth of infants in some populations • Supplementation with SP and NT did not increase growth • NB group had greater weight and length gains than other two intervention groups
Weight and Length gain • Difference in weight gain could be explained by increased calorie intake in NB group - Consumption of NB resulted in avg. increase of ~85 kcal daily intake from complementary foods • Difference in length gain could be explained by essential fatty acid content of NB (provided 65% of recommended linoleic acid and 145% of α-linolenic acid intake)
Motor-skill development • SP and NT infants were 2x as likely, and NB infants were 3.4x as likely to be able to walk independently by 12 mo. than the NI group • Can be due to receiving zinc and iron supplements together and with other micronutrients • Can also be due to increased calorie intake in NB group
Morbidities • The 3 groups did not differ significantly in prevalence of illness, except for cough, which was slightly higher in NT group
Limitations • Possibility of influence on the amount of attention given to children due to Hawthorne effect • Mothers and field workers who delivered supplements were not blind to study design (although anthopometrists were masked to group assignment)
Possibilities for further research • Address micronutrient interactions • Control for micronutrient levels to measure effect of energy/fat intake