[The effect of consuming quality protein maize or conventional maize on the growth and morbidity of malnourished Nicaraguan children 1 to 5 years of age].
Quality protein maize (QPM), with twice the amount of tryptophan and lysine than conventional maize, has improved the nutritional status of severely malnourished children. This double-blind clinical study evaluated the impact of QPM on the growth and morbidity of mild and moderately malnourished children. In a Nicaraguan day care center, 48 children 1 to 5 years old who were malnourished (> 2 indicators with < -1 Z for weight-age, height-age or weight-height) were identified and randomly assigned to consume for 5 days/week for 3.5 months a snack prepared with QPM or conventional maize. QPM positively influenced children's growth: weight (0.80 vs. 0.19 kg gained from baseline to endline between the QPM and conventional maize groups, respectively), height (2.02 vs. 1.23 cm in QPM vs. conventional) and Z score for weight-age (0.17 vs. -0.26 Z in QPM vs. conventional) and height-age (0.06 vs. -0.23 Z in QPM vs. conventional). When other factors that could affect growth with respect to weight, height, weight-age Z score and height-age Z score were controlled for, the intervention group (QPM > conventional) was a statistically important factor (P < 0.01). The QPM snack, however, had no effect on the incidence of diarrheal episodes or respiratory infections. In conclusion, QPM improves the nutritional status of pre-school children who are mild or moderately malnourished but has no effect on the incidence of diarrheal episodes or respiratory infections.
Universidad Nacional Autónoma Nicaragua (UNAN), Managua, Nicaragua.
Eveling del Carmen
Edel C
Ortega Alemán
Adrían Jim
AJ
Coulson Romero
Lastenia Irene
LI
Ordóñez Argueta
Helena
H
Pachón
D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000592:standards; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009527:Nicaragua / Q000453:epidemiology; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000592:standards
D004044:Dietary Proteins