Abstract
ABSTRACTBackgroundAdequate nutrition is necessary for brain development during pregnancy and infancy. Few randomized controlled trials of supplementation during these periods have measured later developmental outcomes.ObjectiveOur objective was to investigate the effects of provision of prenatal and postnatal lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) on child development at preschool age.MethodsWe conducted a follow-up study of 966 children aged 4–6 y in 2016, born to women who participated in the International Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements-DYAD trial conducted in Ghana in 2009–2014, representing 79% of eligible children. Women ≤20 weeks of gestation were randomized to daily LNS or multiple micronutrient (MMN) capsules during pregnancy through 6 mo postpartum or iron and folic acid (IFA) capsules during pregnancy and calcium placebo capsules during 6 mo postpartum. Children in the LNS group received LNS from 6 to 18 mo. Primary outcomes of this follow-up study were (1) a cognitive factor score based on a test battery adapted from several standard tests, 2) fine motor score (9-hole pegboard test), and (3) social-emotional difficulties (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; SDQ). Eight secondary outcomes were calculated in specific domains (e.g., language, SDQ prosocial). Analysis was by a complete case intention to treat in a 2-group comparison: LNS compared with non-LNS (MMN + IFA).ResultsChildren in the LNS group had significantly lower social-emotional difficulties z-scores than children in the non-LNS group (adjusted for child age β = −0.12, 95% CI: −0.25, 0.02, P = 0.087; fully adjusted β = −0.16, 95% CI: −0.29, −0.03, P = 0.013). The effect of LNS on social-emotional difficulties score was larger among children living in households with lower home environment scores (P-interaction = 0.081). No other outcomes differed between the 2 intervention groups.ConclusionsProvision of LNS during the first 1000 d of development improved behavioral function, particularly for children from low nurturing and stimulation households, but did not affect cognition at preschool age in this setting. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier NCT00970866.
Highlights
The initial years of life are critical for the formation of brain structure and capacity [1, 2]
Intervention group differences in behavioral problem scores were larger among children who received less nurturing and stimulation from the home environment
One limitation is that, during the main trial, participants could not be blinded to receipt of lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNSs) compared with MMN or IFA because of the differences in their appearance, data collectors who conducted the neurobehavioral assessments at follow-up and data analysts were kept blinded
Summary
The initial years of life are critical for the formation of brain structure and capacity [1, 2]. Results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the effects of supplementation with specific micronutrients and. Objective: Our objective was to investigate the effects of provision of prenatal and postnatal lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) on child development at preschool age. Methods: We conducted a follow-up study of 966 children aged 4– 6 y in 2016, born to women who participated in the International Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements-DYAD trial conducted in Ghana in 2009–2014, representing 79% of eligible children. Children in the LNS group received LNS from 6 to 18 mo Primary outcomes of this follow-up study were [1] a cognitive factor score based on a test battery adapted from several standard tests, 2) fine motor score (9-hole pegboard test), and [3] social-emotional difficulties (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; SDQ).
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