A randomized trial of iron- and zinc-biofortified pearl millet-based complementary feeding in children aged 12-18 months living in urban slums

Resumo original em inglês

O que aconteceu

Biofortification of staple crops with higher concentrations of micronutrients via traditional breeding methods is a sustainable strategy and can possibly complement fortification and other interventions to target micronutrient deficiencies in low resource settings, particularly among populations such as children. We aimed to determine if iron- and zinc-biofortified pearl millet (FeZnPM, Dhanashakti, ICTP-8203Fe)-based complementary feeding improves nutritional status, including iron and zinc biomarkers and growth, in children living in urban slums of Mumbai.

We conducted a randomized controlled trial of FeZnPM among 223 children aged 12-18 months who were not severely anemic at baseline (hemoglobin ≥9.0 g/dL). Children were randomized to receive either FeZnPM or conventional (non-biofortified) pearl millet (CPM) daily for 9 months. Hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and plasma zinc concentrations as well as growth indicators (length, weight, mid-upper arm circumferences, triceps and subscapular skinfolds) were evaluated at enrollment and throughout the trial. World Health Organization (WHO) anthropometric Z-scores were calculated using WHO growth standards. Primary outcomes were hemoglobin and serum ferritin concentrations, and growth, defined as WHO Z-scores. An intent-to-treat approach was used for analyses. We used the Hodges-Lehmann-Sen test to assess the change in primary outcomes between baseline and the last visit and report corresponding 95 % confidence intervals.

This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT02233764), and Clinical Trials Registry of India (ID: REF/2014/10/007731).

O que encontraram

At baseline, 49.3 % of children had anemia (hemoglobin 0.05). Though the trial was not designed to detect this difference, the prevalence of anemia at endpoint was 33.8 % among those consuming FeZnPM, compared to 57.6 % in the CPM group (P = 0.005).

Por que isso importa

Daily consumption of FeZnPM-based complementary foods improved hemoglobin concentrations and reduced prevalence of anemia in children living in Mumbai's urban slums. However, the intervention did not significantly impact serum ferritin, plasma zincor growth outcomes.

Resumo publicado sob licença CC BY. A tradução para o português ainda não chegou a este estudo.