Efficacy of multi-micronutrient suplementation in reduction of iron deficiency anemia and improvement of vitamin A and zinc status of children 6 -12 months old in Soc Son Hanoi

ABSTRACT

Multi-micronutrients were supplemented for 301 children aged 6-12 months in 4 communes in SocSon district, Hanoi city from July to December 2000. In the daily supplementing group, the incidence of anemia reduced drammatically from 93.4% to 23.1% after 6 months in comparing with control group, with the group of multi micronutrient supplementing every week and the group of iron supplementing everyday. Hb content of the group of multi micronutrient supplementing enhanced from 99.6/-1.3g/l to 115.5/-1.5g/l. The daily supplement of multioligonutrients and iron had improved the iron store in the body. The effects of improving nutritional status and the deficiency of other micro-elements such as vitamin A and Zinc was still not expressed. The ratio of retinol level and serum Zinc level was lower in the group of children of supplementing multimicronutrients daily and weekly without statistic signification in comparing with the control group and the group of iron supplement