Effect of an improved local ingredient-based complementary food fortified or not with iron and selected multiple micronutrients on Hb concentration

Objective: To assess the effect of an improved local ingredient-based gruel fortified or not with selected multiple micronutrients (MM) on Hb concentration of young children. Design: In a nutrition centre that we opened in their villages, children received either MM supplement (containing iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C and iodine) with the improved gruel (MMGG) or the improved gruel only (GG), twice daily, 6 d/week, for 6 months. We assessed baseline and endpoint Hb concentration and anthropometric indices. Setting: Kongoussi, a rural and poor district of Burkina Faso. Subjects: In a community-based trial, we randomly assigned 131 children aged 6-23 months with Hb concentrations in the range of 80-109 g/l into two groups. Results: The groups did not differ significantly at baseline. Mean baseline Hb concentration was 89·2 ( SD 6·5) g/l and 90-3 ( SD 8·4) g/l in the GG and the MMGG, respectively (P=0·42). It increased to 104·1 ( SD 11·4) g/l in the GG (P<0·001) and 107·6 ( SD 14·7) g/l in the MMGG (P< 0·001). The between-group difference of 3·5 (95% CI -1·0, 8·1)g/l in mean ( SD ) endpoint Hb concentration was not significant (P= 0·13). The endpoint anthropometric indices were not different between the groups. Conclusions: This MM supplement had no additional effect on Hb concentration. Thorough studies are needed to evaluate the actual efficacy of the gruel before its introduction into household routine.