title: Long-term intermittent multiple micronutrient supplementation enhances hemoglobin and micronutrient status more than iron + folic acid supplementation in Bangladeshi rural adolescent girls with nutritional anemia.
abstract: Previous short-term supplementation studies showed no additional hematologic benefit of multiple micronutrients (MMN) compared with iron + folic acid (IFA) in adolescent girls. This study examines whether long-term once- or twice-weekly supplementation of MMN can improve hemoglobin (Hb) and micronutrient status more than twice-weekly IFA supplementation in anemic adolescent girls in Bangladesh. Anemic girls (n = 324) aged 11-17 y attending rural schools were given once- or twice-weekly MMN or twice-weekly IFA, containing 60 mg iron/dose in both supplements, for 52 wk in a randomized double-blind trial. Blood samples were collected at baseline and 26 and 52 wk. Intent to treat analysis showed no significant difference in the Hb concentration between treatments at either 26 or 52 wk. However, after excluding girls with hemoglobinopathy and adjustment for baseline Hb, a greater increase in Hb was observed with twice-weekly MMN at 26 wk (P = 0.045). Although all 3 treatments effectively reduced iron deficiency, once-weekly MMN produced significantly lower serum ferritin concentrations than the other treatments at both 26 and 52 wk. Both once- and twice-weekly MMN significantly improved riboflavin, vitamin A, and vitamin C status compared with IFA. Overall, once-weekly MMN was less efficacious than twice-weekly MMN in improving iron, riboflavin, RBC folic acid, and vitamin A levels. Micronutrient supplementation beyond 26 wk was likely important in sustaining improved micronutrient status. These findings highlight the potential usefulness of MMN intervention in this population and have implications for programming.
authors: Department of Family Sciences, College for Women, Kuwait University, Safat 13060, Kuwait. fahmed_001@yahoo.com.au
authors: Faruk
authors: F
authors: Ahmed
authors: Moududur R
authors: MR
authors: Khan
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Akhtaruzzaman
authors: Rezaul
authors: R
authors: Karim
authors: Gail
authors: G
authors: Williams
authors: Harriet
authors: H
authors: Torlesse
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Darnton-Hill
authors: Nita
authors: N
authors: Dalmiya
authors: Cadi P
authors: CP
authors: Banu
authors: Badrun
authors: B
authors: Nahar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012257:Riboflavin Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012424:Rural Population; D013997:Time Factors; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D018977:Micronutrients; D005492:Folic Acid