A randomized trial of multivitamin supplementation in children with tuberculosis in Tanzania.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Children with tuberculosis often have underlying nutritional deficiencies. Multivitamin supplementation has been proposed as a means to enhance the health of these children; however, the efficacy of such an intervention has not been examined adequately.

Methods

255 children, aged six weeks to five years, with tuberculosis were randomized to receive either a daily multivitamin supplement or a placebo in the first eight weeks of anti-tuberculous therapy in Tanzania. This was only 64% of the proposed sample size as the trial had to be terminated prematurely due to funding constraints. They were followed up for the duration of supplementation through clinic and home visits to assess anthropometric indices and laboratory parameters, including hemoglobin and albumin.

SUBMITTER: Mehta S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3229564 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature