Comparison of the Effect of Two Treatments on the Nutritional and Micronutrient Status of Malnourished Children

Comparison of the Effect of Two Treatments on the Nutritional and Micronutrient Status of Malnourished Children

Comparison of the Effect of Two Treatments on the Nutritional and Micronutrient Status of Malnourished Children From the Takalik Abaj

The purpose of this study is to measure the impact of a fortified food on the nutritional and micronutrient status of malnourished children, compared with milk. The changes to be evaluated include the indicators weight for height, height for age, weight for age, mid-arm circumferance for age; and levels of hemoglobin, serum zinc, serum ferritin, serum folic acid, erythrocyte folic acid, serum vitamin B12, and urinary iodine.

Chronic malnutrition evidenced by short height for age is a common nutritional problem in underdeveloped countries which is generally accompanied by iron deficiency anemia and zinc deficiency. It has many consequences on the adult including limited capacity to work and higher risk of obesity and chronic disease. The present study will offer a fortified food, culturally accepted and locally produced. The effectiveness of this fortified food compared to lactose-free milk, in a controlled dose and with no risk to the health of the study participants, will be determined. Both will be distributed for free to be consumed as an atole or in liquid form, respectively, at a community level in an environment controlled as much as possible. This will allow to determine adherence, acceptability, consumption and distribution within the family.

A group of children with some degree of malnourishment considered by a Z-score < -1 for weight for height, height for age or weight for age.

A group of children with some degree of malnourishment considered by a Z-score < -1 for weight for height, height for age or weight for age.

The serving contains 4 grs. of protein, 12 grs. of carbohydrate, 1 gr of fat 9 mg of zinc, 12.5 mg iron, 160 µg of folic acid, 90 µg of iodine, 250 mg of vitamin A, 40 mg of vitamin C, 0.5 mg of vitamin B6, 0.9 µg of vitamin B12, 6 mg of niacin, 0.5 mg of vitamin B2, 0.5 mg of vitamin B1, 0.3 mg of copper, 5 mg of vitamin D3, 5 mg of vitamin E, 200 mg ofcalcium, 150 mg of phosphorous, 40 mg of magnesium, 17 µg of selenium, 0.17 µg of manganese, 1.8 mg of pantothenic acid and 8 µg of biotin.

Inclusion Criteria: Some degree of malnutrition according to weight for height or height for age Reside in one of the six communities chosen for the study Exclusion Criteria: Leukemia Diabetes Handicap Down syndrome Renal failure

Brown KH, Peerson JM, Rivera J, Allen LH. Effect of supplemental zinc on the growth and serum zinc concentrations of prepubertal children: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Jun;75(6):1062-71. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/75.6.1062.

Ministry of Social Health and Public Assistance et al. Micronutrient National Survey. Guatemala MSPAS 56pp. 2011

Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance. Maternal Infant Health Survey. Guatemala, MSPAS, 634 pp. 2010