Effect of Oral Nutritional Supplementation on Growth in Vietnamese Children with Stunting

Dung T Pham,Hanh M Pham,Trung Q Tran,Dieu T T Huynh,Trong N Hoang,Nhung T Ninh,Long H Nguyen,Nhu T Ngo

doi:10.2174/1874288201913010043

Abstract

Background: The impact of oral nutritional supplementations (ONS) is not well-elucidated in children with stunting. Objective: The aim is to evaluate the effect of ONS on growth in Vietnamese children with stunting. Methods: This 6-month, prospective, single-arm trial evaluated 121 children aged 24–48 months with stunting (height-for-age z-score [HAZ] < -2) and low weight-for-height z-score (WHZ < -1) in Vietnam. Children consumed ONS twice daily. The outcomes included the change in HAZ, WHZ, and weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) from baseline to 3- and 6 months; change in height and weight from baseline to 3- and 6 months; and the prevalence of stunting, wasting (WHZ < -2 SD), and underweight (WAZ < -2 SD) at 6 months. We also examined factors associated with a change in HAZ over the intervention period. Results: The mean age was 34.7 months and 49% were male. Height and weight increased from baseline to 3- and 6-months (p<0.0001). There was a significant increase in median HAZ (0.25 units), WHZ (0.72 units), and WAZ (0.65 units) from baseline to 6 months (p<0.0001). Notably, approximately 40% of children recovered from stunting at 6 months (p<0.0001). The prevalence of wasting and underweight status were also significantly lower at 6 months (p=0.0310 and p<0.0001, respectively) relative to the baseline. Lower HAZ and younger age at baseline were significantly associated with higher linear growth at 6 months. Conclusion: ONS helped improve linear and ponderal growth and reduce the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight status in stunted children at risk of wasting.

Highlights

Stunting affected 151 million children under the age of 5 in 2017, with more than half of these children living in Aishwarya Sridharan from in vivo Communications (Asia) [1]
We examined the efficacy of oral nutritional supplementations (ONS) on linear and ponderal growth in preschool children with stunting and low weight-for-height z-score (WHZ < -1) in Vietnam
Our study suggests that nutritional intervention in stunted children older than 2 years is effective in promoting catch-up linear growth, which could potentially mitigate the adverse consequences of stunting

Summary

Introduction

Stunting affected 151 million children under the age of 5 in 2017, with more than half of these children living in Asia [1]. Several challenges may limit the effectiveness of a food-based approach in developing countries [23]. In Vietnam, family foods typically comprise of rice, legumes, oilseeds, vegetables, sugar, salt, and monosodium glutamate, which have high antinutrient content and low density in terms of macro- and micronutrients [7, 18, 24]. There is poor consumption of fruits, fish, and animal-based foods in Vietnam [7]. Another challenge of using DC to overcome stunting is that it requires dietary diversity [20] and may be difficult to implement considering the aforementioned issues related to food insecurity and diversity in Vietnam. Dietary recommendations for moderately stunted children are non-specific and this may limit their effectiveness for catch-up growth [21]. The impact of oral nutritional supplementations (ONS) is not well-elucidated in children with stunting

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion