[Effects of nutrient fortified complementary food supplements on development of infants and young children in poor rural area of Gansu Province].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of complementary food supplements on development of infants and young children in poor rural. METHODS In 5 poor counties of Gansu Province, children aged 4 - 12 months were enrolled and divided into two groups. In addition to the usual home-made complementary food, all the children were fed one package of either formula I or formula UI per day, protein and micronutrient were supplemented in formula I group. Formula II provided the same energy as formula I . Both groups were supplemented with vitamin A, weight and height measurements have been done every 3 months, and hemoglobin tests were done every 6 month. Development quotient was measured when they were aged 24 month.


RESULTS
Development quotient of 475 children were tested. The difference of Development quotient between the two groups is statistically significant ( P < 0.05), gross motor development also is different (P < 0.05), there are no difference in time of supplements, nutrition status, sex ratio, mother' s education between two group, but hemoglobin and anemia prevalence of children in formula I group is significant lower than Formula II group.


CONCLUSIONS
Micronutrient fortified complementary food supplement is effective for children aged 4 - 12 month in terms of mental development.
Wang
Yu-ying
YY
National Center for Public Health Surveillance and Information Services, 100050, China Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing.
Wang
Fu-zhen
FZ
Wang
Ke' an
Ka
Chen
Chun-ming
CM
Jin
Mei
M
D002657:Child Development; D002681:China; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D012424:Rural Population; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014801:Vitamin A