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Iron and zinc supplementation promote motor development and exploratory behavior among Bangladeshi infants.
- Source :
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; Oct2004, Vol. 80 Issue 4, p903-910, 8p
- Publication Year :
- 2004
-
Abstract
- Background: Iron and zinc deficiency are prevalent during infancy in low-income countries. Objectives: The objectives were to examine whether a weekly supplement of iron, zinc, iron+zinc, or a micronutrient mix (MM) of 16 vitamins and minerals would alter infant development and behavior. Design: The participants were 221 infants from rural Bangladesh at risk of micronutrient deficiencies. Development and behavior were evaluated at 6 and 12 mo of age by using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II and the Home Observation Measurement of Environment (HOME) scale. In this double-blind trial, the infants were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatment conditions: iron (20 mg), zinc (20 mg), iron+zinc, MM (16 vitamins and minerals, including iron and zinc), or riboflavin weekly from 6 to 12 mo. Multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the change in development and behavior for each supplementation group, with control for maternal education,HOMEscore, months breastfed, anemia, growth at 6 mo, and change in growth from 6 to 12 mo. Results: Iron and zinc administered together and with other micronutrients had a beneficial effect on infant motor development. Iron and zinc administered individually and in combination had a beneficial effect on orientation-engagement. Two-thirds of the infants were mildly anemic, no treatment effects on hemoglobin concentration were observed, and hemoglobin was not associated with measures of development or behavior. Conclusion: The beneficial effects of weekly iron and zinc supplementation on motor development and orientation-engagement suggest that infants benefit from these minerals when administered together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00029165
- Volume :
- 80
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 94632246
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/80.4.903