Home fortification with calcium reduces Hb response to iron among anaemic Bangladeshi infants consuming a new multi-micronutrient powder formulation

What this study found

Hb improved in both groups, but the calcium-containing powder produced a significantly smaller Hb rise than the non-calcium powder. In the MNP group, Hb increased from 90.6 g/L to 103.9 g/L, with a mean change of 13.3 g/L, versus 90.8 g/L to 98.3 g/L and a change of 7.6 g/L in the Ca-MNP group; between-group P values were 0.010 for end-point Hb and <0.0001 for Hb change. Overall, 53% (50/95) improved from anaemic to non-anaemic, and the calcium group was more likely to remain anaemic (OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.4, 7.5). Adherence was very high in both arms, and side effects were mostly mild to moderate.

Study & population

Community-based randomized trial in 26 rural villages of Kaliganj, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Intervention

Infants received one oral sachet mixed into a single semi-solid meal daily for 8 weeks.

Key limitation

Short 8-week follow-up limits assessment of longer-term hematologic effects.

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