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EFFECT OF MICRONUTRIENT FORTIFIED BEVERAGE ON NUTRITIONAL ANAEMIA DURING PREGNANCY
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a multiple micronutrient fortified beverage
containing eleven nutrients at physiological levels in prevention of anaemia and
improving iron and vitamin A status during pregnancy.
Design: A randomised double blind placebo controlled study.
Setting: Mpwapwa and Kongwa Districts in Dodoma Region of Tanzania.
Subjects: Five hundred and seventy nine pregnant women were screened for entry into
the study and 439 women who met the study criteria were enrolled.
Interventions: Study participants received either a fortified (F) or non-fortified (NF)
orange flavoured drinks identical in appearance, provided in two self administered
servings per day for an eight week period.
Main outcome measures: Comparison of haemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF) and
serum retinol (SR) at baseline and follow up.
Results: After eight weeks of supplementation, the F group (n=129) had a significantly
higher Hb increase of 0.86g/dL compared to 0.45g/dL in the NF group (n=130) p<0.0001.
Gestational age at entry into the study, moderated the effect on Hb of the fortified
drink. Women at earlier gestational age upon entry, had a higher rise in Hb than women
of late gestational age (0.8g/dL versus 0.04 g/dL rise respectively, p=0.038, n=188). The
risk of being anaemic at the end of the study for those in the F group was reduced
by 51% (RR=0.49, CI=0.28 to 0.85). Iron stores (by serum ferritin levels) increased
by 3μg/L in the F group (p=0.012) and a decrease of 2μg/L in the NF group (p=0.115).
The follow up ferritin concentration depended on initial ferritin level. Regardless of
treatment group, serum retinol concentrations were significantly higher in mothers who
had delivered. Mothers who had adequate levels at entry benefited more from the
supplement than those with low levels (0.26 μmol/L versus no significant difference).
Conclusions: The multiple micronutrient-fortified beverage given for eight weeks to
pregnant women improved their haemoglobin, serum ferritin and retinol status. The
risk for anaemia was also significantly reduced. The important predictors of Hb increase
at follow up were the fortified beverage, baseline Hb, serum retinol, baseline ferritin
and gestational age at entry into study. Anthropological research showed that the
beverage was highly acceptable and well liked.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a multiple micronutrient fortified beverage
containing eleven nutrients at physiological levels in prevention of anaemia and
improving iron and vitamin A status during pregnancy.
Design: A randomised double blind placebo controlled study.
Setting: Mpwapwa and Kongwa Districts in Dodoma Region of Tanzania.
Subjects: Five hundred and seventy nine pregnant women were screened for entry into
the study and 439 women who met the study criteria were enrolled.
Interventions: Study participants received either a fortified (F) or non-fortified (NF)
orange flavoured drinks identical in appearance, provided in two self administered
servings per day for an eight week period.
Main outcome measures: Comparison of haemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF) and
serum retinol (SR) at baseline and follow up.
Results: After eight weeks of supplementation, the F group (n=129) had a significantly
higher Hb increase of 0.86g/dL compared to 0.45g/dL in the NF group (n=130) p<0.0001.
Gestational age at entry into the study, moderated the effect on Hb of the fortified
drink. Women at earlier gestational age upon entry, had a higher rise in Hb than women
of late gestational age (0.8g/dL versus 0.04 g/dL rise respectively, p=0.038, n=188). The
risk of being anaemic at the end of the study for those in the F group was reduced
by 51% (RR=0.49, CI=0.28 to 0.85). Iron stores (by serum ferritin levels) increased
by 3μg/L in the F group (p=0.012) and a decrease of 2μg/L in the NF group (p=0.115).
The follow up ferritin concentration depended on initial ferritin level. Regardless of
treatment group, serum retinol concentrations were significantly higher in mothers who
had delivered. Mothers who had adequate levels at entry benefited more from the
supplement than those with low levels (0.26 μmol/L versus no significant difference).
Conclusions: The multiple micronutrient-fortified beverage given for eight weeks to
pregnant women improved their haemoglobin, serum ferritin and retinol status. The
risk for anaemia was also significantly reduced. The important predictors of Hb increase
at follow up were the fortified beverage, baseline Hb, serum retinol, baseline ferritin
and gestational age at entry into study. Anthropological research showed that the
beverage was highly acceptable and well liked.
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