Home fortification of complementary foods with micronutrient supplements is well accepted and has positive effects on infant iron status in Ghana.
BACKGROUND
Micronutrient deficiencies are common during infancy, and optimal approaches for their prevention need to be identified.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to compare the efficacy and acceptability of Sprinkles (SP), crushable Nutritabs (NT), and fat-based Nutributter (NB; 108 kcal/d), which provide 6, 16, and 19 vitamins and minerals, respectively, when used for home fortification of complementary foods.


METHODS
Ghanaian infants were randomly assigned to receive SP (n = 105), NT (n = 105), or NB (n = 103) daily from 6 to 12 mo of age. We assessed dietary intake, morbidity, and compliance weekly. Hemoglobin and plasma ferritin, TfR, C-reactive protein, and zinc were measured at 6 and 12 mo. We used an exit interview to assess acceptability. A randomly selected control group of infants who received no intervention (NI; n = 96) were assessed at 12 mo.


RESULTS
All supplements were well accepted, and the mean percentage of days that supplements were consumed (87%) did not differ between groups. At 12 mo, all 3 intervention groups had significantly higher ferritin and lower TfR concentrations than did the NI control group. Mean (+/- SD) hemoglobin was significantly higher in NT (112 +/- 14 g/L) and NB (114 +/- 14 g/L) but not in SP (110 +/- 14 g/L) infants than in NI infants (106 +/- 14 g/L). The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 31% in the NI control group compared with 10% in the intervention groups combined (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
All 3 options for home fortification of complementary foods are effective for reducing the prevalence of iron deficiency in such populations.
Adu-Afarwuah
Seth
S
Program in International and Community Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA 95616-8669, USA.
Lartey
Anna
A
Brown
Kenneth H
KH
Zlotkin
Stanley
S
Briend
André
A
Dewey
Kathryn G
KG
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005527:Food, Fortified; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism; D014886:Weaning; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
D006454:Hemoglobins; D018977:Micronutrients; D014168:Transferrin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc