Effect of three supplements with identical micronutrient content on length and weight of Mexican children

Abstract

The objective of this analysis was to assess the impact of three nutritional supplements with identical micronutrient content on length and weight of children at 24 mo of age. Communities (18 per supplement) were randomly assigned to receive a fortified food (FF), syrup (SY) or Sprinkles (SK). Children 6 to 12 m of age, beneficiaries of the Oportunidades program were eligible to participate. Supplements were delivered daily (6 mo) then weekly. Measurements were taken at baseline and 24 m of age. Appropriate statistical analyses for cluster randomized trials were used. 927 children were assigned to treatment (FF n=265; SY n=323; SK n=339) and 80% completed the trial. There were no statistically significant differences between groups at baseline for mean height‐age Z (HAZ −1.0±1.0) weight‐height Z (WHZ 0.4±1.0) or prevalence of stunting (FF 14.7%; SY 18.5%; SK 19.3%, p>0.10). At 24 mo of age, there was no difference between groups in mean HAZ (FF −1.0±1.0; SY −1.2±1.0; SK −1.1±1.0, p>0.10), WHZ (FF 0.12±0.96; SY 0.08±1.10; SK 0.17±0.96, p>0.10) or the prevalence of stunting (FF 14.8%; SY 21.6%; SK 17.5%, p>0.10). There was no difference in the prevalence of stunting between baseline (17.7) and 24 mo (18.1) (p>0.10). This study had no true placebo and we do not know to what extent the supplements influenced growth. The lack of change in mean HAZ and the prevalence of stunting from baseline to follow‐up may suggest that the three supplements were equally efficacious to prevent further growth retardation.The Oportunidades program financed this study and holds the rites to the data presented.