Linear growth increased in young children in an urban slum of Haiti: a randomized controlled trial of a lipid-based nutrient supplement.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Haiti has experienced rapid urbanization that has exacerbated poverty and undernutrition in large slum areas. Stunting affects 1 in 5 young children.

Objective

We aimed to test the efficacy of a daily lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) for increased linear growth in young children.

Design

Healthy, singleton infants aged 6-11 mo (n = 589) were recruited from an urban slum of Cap Haitien and randomly assigned to receive: 1) a control; 2) a 3-mo LNS; or 3) a 6-mo LNS. The LNS provided 108 kcal and other nutrients including vitamin A, vitamin B-12, iron, and zinc at ≥80% of the recommended amounts. Infants were followed monthly on growth, morbidity, and developmental outcomes over a 6-mo intervention period and at one additional time point 6 mo postintervent

SUBMITTER: Iannotti LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3862455 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature