Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Meta-analyses show that small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNSs) reduce child stunting and wasting. Identification of subgroups who benefit most from SQ-LNSs may facilitate program design.Objectives
We aimed to identify study-level and individual-level modifiers of the effect of SQ-LNSs on child growth outcomes.Methods
We conducted a 2-stage meta-analysis of individual participant data from 14 randomized controlled trials of SQ-LNSs provided to children 6-24 mo of age (n = 37,066). We generated study-specific and subgroup estimates of SQ-LNS compared with control and pooled the estimates using fixed-effects models. We used random-effects meta-regression to examine study-level effect modifiers. In sensitivity analyses, we examined whether results differed depending on study arm inclusion criteria and types of comparisons.Results
SQ-LNS provision decreased stunting (length-for-age z score < -2) by 12% (relative reduction), wasting [weight-for-length (WLZ) z score < -2] by 14%, low midupper arm circumference (MUAC) (<125 mm or MUAC-for-age z score < -2) by 18%, acute malnutrition (WLZ < -2 or MUAC < 125 mm) by 14%, underweight (weight-for-age z score < -2) by 13%, and small head size (head circumference-for-age z score < -2) by 9%. Effects of SQ-LNSs generally did not differ by study-level characteristics including region, stunting burden, malaria prevalence, sanitation, water quality, duration of supplementation, frequency of contact, or average compliance with SQ-LNS. Effects of SQ-LNSs on stunting, wasting, low MUAC, and small head size were greater among girls than among boys; effects on stunting, underweight, and low MUAC were greater among later-born (than among firstborn) children; and effects on wasting and acute malnutrition were greater among children in households with improved (as opposed to unimproved) sanitation.Conclusions
The positive impact of SQ-LNSs on growth is apparent across a variety of study-level contexts. Policy-makers and program planners should consider including SQ-LNSs in packages of interventions to prevent both stunting and wasting.This trial was registered at www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO as CRD42019146592.
SUBMITTER: Dewey KG
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8560308 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Dewey Kathryn G KG Wessells K Ryan KR Arnold Charles D CD Prado Elizabeth L EL Abbeddou Souheila S Adu-Afarwuah Seth S Ali Hasmot H Arnold Benjamin F BF Ashorn Per P Ashorn Ulla U Ashraf Sania S Becquey Elodie E Bendabenda Jaden J Brown Kenneth H KH Christian Parul P Colford John M JM Dulience Sherlie J L SJL Fernald Lia C H LCH Galasso Emanuela E Hallamaa Lotta L Hess Sonja Y SY Humphrey Jean H JH Huybregts Lieven L Iannotti Lora L LL Jannat Kaniz K Lartey Anna A Le Port Agnes A Leroy Jef L JL Luby Stephen P SP Maleta Kenneth K Matias Susana L SL Mbuya Mduduzi N N MNN Mridha Malay K MK Nkhoma Minyanga M Null Clair C Paul Rina R RR Okronipa Harriet H Ouédraogo Jean-Bosco JB Pickering Amy J AJ Prendergast Andrew J AJ Ruel Marie M Shaikh Saijuddin S Weber Ann M AM Wolff Patricia P Zongrone Amanda A Stewart Christine P CP
The American journal of clinical nutrition 20211101 Suppl 1
<h4>Background</h4>Meta-analyses show that small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNSs) reduce child stunting and wasting. Identification of subgroups who benefit most from SQ-LNSs may facilitate program design.<h4>Objectives</h4>We aimed to identify study-level and individual-level modifiers of the effect of SQ-LNSs on child growth outcomes.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a 2-stage meta-analysis of individual participant data from 14 randomized controlled trials of SQ-LNSs provided to ...[more]