title: Micronutrient supply and health outcomes in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Multiple micronutrient deficiencies are still common worldwide and often occur at an early age, negatively affecting both physical and cognitive development. Even though specific effects of a variety of different micronutrients have been studied extensively, it is understood that a combination of multiple micronutrients may be more beneficial in most instances, as deficiencies usually do not occur in isolation. The aim of this review was to summarize the most recent evidence of the effects of micronutrient interventions on growth, mental, and physical performance as well as morbidity in children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For growth, cognitive or motor function, and morbidity, it appears that providing sufficient amounts of micronutrients especially to the most vulnerable and deficient groups of children can make a difference, but also that the intervention has to be planned carefully. However, findings are still variable, more particularly with reference to morbidity. Two reports of increased diagnoses of infection with micronutrient supplementation are also of concern.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are still difficulties in coming to a universal conclusion about benefit in all populations, because reports vary in study design, population, and so on. Although micronutrients have a role in depleted groups, it is also important to not only consider the group of children targeted, but also the regime of administration.
authors: Division of Nutrition, St John's Research Institute, St John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India. a.kurpad@sjri.res.in
authors: Anura V
authors: AV
authors: Kurpad
authors: Bernice S
authors: BS
authors: Edward
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Aeberli
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency; D009017:Morbidity; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients