title: Decreased parasite load and improved cognitive outcomes caused by deworming and consumption of multi-micronutrient fortified biscuits in rural Vietnamese schoolchildren.
abstract: Micronutrient deficiencies are associated with impaired growth and cognitive function. A school-based fortification program might benefit schoolchildren but a high prevalence of parasite infestation might affect effectiveness. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 2 × 2 factorial trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of multi-micronutrient fortified biscuits with or without de-worming on growth, cognitive function, and parasite load in Vietnamese schoolchildren. Schoolchildren (n = 510), 6-8 years of age were randomly allocated to receive albendazole or placebo at baseline and four months of multi-micronutrient fortified biscuits (FB) or non-fortified biscuits. Children receiving FB for four months scored higher on two cognitive tests: Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices and the Digit Span Forward test. Children receiving albendazole plus FB had the lowest parasite load after four months. In children receiving FB, mid-upper arm circumference was slightly improved (+0.082 cm) but there were no differences in other indexes of anthropometry. Combining multi-micronutrient fortified biscuits with de-worming is an effective strategy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Micronutrient Research and Application, National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam. thuynga672000@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Tran T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Nga
authors.forename: Pattanee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Winichagoon
authors.forename: Marjoleine A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dijkhuizen
authors.forename: Nguyen C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Emorn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wasantwisut
authors.forename: Frank T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Wieringa
mesh_terms: D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012424:Rural Population; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D018977:Micronutrients; D015766:Albendazole