Effects of antenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation on children's weight and size at 2 years of age in Nepal: follow-up of a double-blind randomised controlled trial.
Abstract
Background: The negative effects of low birthweight on the later health of children in developing countries have been well studied. However, undertaking programmes to address this issue can be difficult since there is no simple correlation between increasing birthweight and improving child health. In 2005, we published results of a randomised controlled trial in Nepal, in which 1200 women received either iron and folic acid or a supplement that provided the recommended daily allowance of 15 vitamins and minerals, over the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Here, we report on 2鈥�3 years' follow-up of children born during the trial. Methods: We visited children at home and obtained data for the primary outcomes of weight and height, for childhood illnesses, and maternal blood haemoglobin. The study is registered as an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial, number ISRCTN88625934. Findings: Between December, 2005, and December, 2006, we assessed 917 children (455 controls, 462 intervention) at a mean age of 2路5 years. Mean birthweight had been 77 g (95% CI 24鈥�130) greater in the micronutrient group than in controls. At 2路5 years old, controls weighed a mean of 10路7 kg (SD 1路38), and those in the intervention group 10路9 kg (SD 1路54). Children of women who had taken multiple micronutrient supplements during pregnancy were a mean 204 g (95% CI 27鈥�381) heavier than controls. They also had greater measurements than controls in the circumference of the head (2路4 mm [95% CI 0路6鈥�4路3]), chest (3路2 mm [0路4鈥�6路0]), and mid-upper arm (2路4 mm [1路1鈥�3路7]), and in triceps skinfold thickness (2路0 mm [0路0鈥�0路4]). Systolic blood pressure was slightly lower in the intervention group (2路5 mm Hg [0路5鈥�4路6]). Interpretation: In a poor population, the effects of maternal multiple micronutrient supplementation on the fetus persisted into childhood, with increases in both weight and body size. These increases were small, however, since those exposed to micronutrients had an average of 2% higher weight than controls. The public-health implications of changes in weight and blood pressure need to be clarified through further follow-up.
Citation
The Lancet (2008) 371 (9611) pp. 492-499 [doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60172-5].