[Effects of nutrient fortified complementary food supplements on growth of infants and young children in poor rural area in Gansu Province].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of complementary food supplements with protein and multimicronutrients on growth of infants and yound children in poor rural area in Gansu Province, China.


METHODS
In 5 poor counties of Gansu Province, 1478 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 sachet of either formula I or formula II per day, protein and micronutrient were supplemepted in formula I group, fomula II group got energy supplement corresponding with same energy intake as formula I, a massive dose of vitamin A was supplemented to both groups every 6 months interval. Weight and height measurements were done every 3 months until they were 24 months old.


RESULTS
At baseline survey, LAZ and WAZ of children in formula II group was better than those of formula I group, the prevalence of under nutrition in formula I was higher than those in formula II group, but not statistically significant. After 12 months supplementation, the differences of LAZ and WAZ between the two groups diminished, the stunting prevalence of the two groups was close, it demonstrated that formula I was slightly more effective than formula II, the effect size was 0.17. Formula I has positive effect independently with the nutrition status of children. When all children were 24 months, formula I was better than formula II in LAZ and WAZ changes P < 0.05), the length changes were bigger in formula I group (P < 0.05). If takeing the children initiating supplementation at under age of 7 month, LAZ changes in formula I group and formula II group was statistically significant (P < 0.005). The average length increased in formula I group was 1.3cm longer.


CONCLUSIONS
Multinutrient-fortified complementary food supplement could be effective for children aged 4-12 month in terms of growth promotion. The study proved that application of home-level fortification of supplementation into the regular complementary feeding in poor rural China may be feasible.
Wang
Yuying
Y
National Center for Public Health Surveillance and Information Services, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100050, China.
Chen
Chunming
C
Wang
Fuzhen
F
Wang
Ke'an
K
D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011203:Poverty; D012424:Rural Population; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D018977:Micronutrients; D014801:Vitamin A