Effect of three supplements with identical micronutrient content on anemia in pregnant Mexican women

Abstract

The objective of this analysis was to assess the impact of three nutritional supplements with identical micronutrient content on the prevalence of anemia (PA) during pregnancy (37 wks) and at 3 m postpartum (pp). Communities (18 per supplement) were randomly assigned to receive a fortified beverage (FB), tablets (TB) or Sprinkles (SK). Pregnant women, beneficiaries of the Oportunidades program were recruited before 25 wk pregnancy. Supplements were delivered daily (6 mo) then weekly and compliance recorded. Appropriate statistical analyses for cluster randomized trials were used. 715 women were recruited (FB n=233; TB n=238; SK n=244). The PA was not different between groups at baseline (FB: 28.8%; TB: 18.1%; SK: 18.5%, p>0.05). At 37 wk pregnancy the PA was not different from that at baseline, nor did it differ between groups (FB: 19.6%, TB: 15%, SK: 17%). At 3 m pp, the PA had decreased in all groups and there was no significant difference in prevalence between them (FB: 24.7%; TB: 14.7%; SK: 15.1%). Given that this study has no true placebo, we do not know to what extent the supplements cured/prevented anemia. The lack of increase in anemia between baseline and 37 wk pregnancy suggests that the supplements may have been equally efficacious to prevent anemia. The Oportunidades program financed this study and holds the rites to the data presented.