[Effects of complementary food supplements on respiratory infections and diarrhea of infants and young children in poor rural].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effect of complementary food supplements with protein and multi-micronutrients on respiratory infections and diarrhea of infants and yound children in poor rural China.

METHODS:

In 5 poor county of Gansu Province, 1478 children aged 4 - 12 months were enrolled and divided into two groups. In addition to the usual home-made complementary food, all the children were fed one package of either formula I or formula II per day, usual home-made complementary food, all the children were fed one package of either formula I or formula II per day, protein and micronutrient were supplemented in formula I group. Every 6 months, a massive dose of vitamin A was protein and micronutrient were supplemented in formula I group. Every 6 months, a massive dose of vitamin A was supplemented to all children, weight and height measurements have been done every 3 months until they were 24 months old.

RESULTS:

During the follow-up of 12 months supplementation, prevalence of respiratory infection and diarrhea reduce significantly compared with baseline survey (P < 0.0001), there is no difference between the two group at the same survey, lasting time of respiratory infection is shortened in formula I group, and medical cost of disease in the two groups Complementary food supplements, with large-dose vitamin A, reduce prevalence of reduced significantly.

CONCLUSION:

Complementary food supplements, with large-dose vitamin A, reduce prevalence of respiratory infections, diarrhea and medical cost of those diseases.

• Authors: Dongmei Yu, Yuying Wang, Fuzhen Wang
• Journal: Wei sheng yan jiu = Journal of hygiene research (Wei Sheng Yan Jiu) Vol. 36 Issue 3 Pg. 355-7 (May 2007) ISSN: 1000-8020 [Print] China
• PMID: 17712961 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Vitamin A

Topics

• Child Development
• China (epidemiology)
• Diarrhea (epidemiology)
• Dietary Supplements
• Feeding Behavior
• Female
• Food, Formulated
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
• Male
• Respiratory Tract Infections (epidemiology)
• Rural Health
• Vitamin A (administration & dosage)