title: Multiple micronutrients in powder delivered through primary health care reduce iron and vitamin A deficiencies in young Amazonian children.
abstract: We evaluated the effect of home fortification with multiple micronutrient powder (MNP) on anaemia and micronutrient status of young Amazonian children.
  
  
  
  A pragmatic controlled trial was performed. A control group (CG) of children aged 11-14 months was recruited in the routine of primary health-care centres for assessing anaemia and micronutrient status. At the same time, an intervention group (IG) of infants aged 6-8 months was recruited in the same health centres to receive MNP daily in complementary feeding for 2 months. The IG children were assessed 4-6 months after enrolment (n 112) when they had reached the age of the CG participants (n 128) for comparisons.
  
  
  
  Primary health centres in Rio Branco city, Brazilian Amazon.
  
  
  
  A total of 240 children aged<2 years.
  
  
  
  In the CG, the prevalence of anaemia (Hb8·3 mg/l) and vitamin A deficiency (VAD; serum retinol <0·70 μmol/l) was 20·3 %, 72·4 % and 18·6 %, respectively. Among the IG participants (aged 11-14 months), the prevalence of anaemia, ID and VAD was 15·2 %, 25·2 % and 4·7 %, respectively. The IG had a lower likelihood of ID (prevalence ratio (95 % CI): 0·34 (0·24, 0·49)) and VAD (0·25 (0·09, 0·64)).
  
  
  
  Home fortification of complementary feeding delivered through primary health care was effective in reducing iron and vitamin A deficiencies among young Amazonian children.
authors.affiliation: 1Public Health Nutrition Program,School of Public Health,University of São Paulo,São Paulo,Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristieli Sm
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: 2Centre of Health Sciences and Sport,Federal University of Acre,Rio Branco,Brazil.
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sampaio
authors.affiliation: 2Centre of Health Sciences and Sport,Federal University of Acre,Rio Branco,Brazil.
authors.forename: Pascoal T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Muniz
authors.affiliation: 1Public Health Nutrition Program,School of Public Health,University of São Paulo,São Paulo,Brazil.
authors.forename: Marly A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cardoso
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001938:Brazil; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007501:Iron; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011208:Powders; D011320:Primary Health Care; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients; D011208:Powders; D014801:Vitamin A; D007501:Iron
keywords: Anaemia; Child health; Complementary feeding; Home fortification; Iron; Micronutrients; Primary health care; Vitamin A