Home Fortification with Multiple-Micronutrient Powders Reduces Anemia in Infants and Young Children

This approach may be advantageous in augmenting the micronutrient impact of various complementary foods to improve the micronutrient status of children under two years of age.

1 May 2012 --- Micronutrient deficiencies are common in infants and young children worldwide.  One approach to combating micronutrient deficiencies has been the development of home fortification programs based on single-dose packets containing multiple vitamins and minerals in powdered form that can be sprinkled on food.  This approach may be advantageous in augmenting the micronutrient impact of various complementary foods to improve the micronutrient status of children under two years of age.

The question of the efficacy of home fortification with micronutrient powders on nutritional outcomes in children has been recently evaluated by World Health Organization scientists in a meta-analysis of available clinical trials in which the powders contained at least iron, zinc and vitamin A.  The investigators identified eight trials that included a total of ~4000 children from low income countries in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean region. These home intervention trials lasted from two to 12 months, and the number of micronutrients delivered varied from five to 15.  Collectively, these trials supported a 31% reduction in anemia and a 51% reduction in iron deficiency compared to placebo treatment.  These findings indicate the point-of-use home fortification strategies with micronutrient powders have been successful in relieving the burden of iron deficiency and anemia in at-risk infants and young children.