Preventive lipid-based nutrient supplements given with complementary foods to infants and young children 6 to 23 months of age for health, nutrition, and developmental outcomes.

Study answer

What this study found

LNS plus complementary feeding improved growth and reduced anaemia versus no intervention, without evidence of increased adverse effects. One pooled growth result showed reduced moderate stunting at 12, 18, or 24 months across nine studies (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.98). Benefits were larger when the intervention lasted longer than 12 months. Evidence that LNS was more effective than fortified blended foods or micronutrient powders was limited, and psychomotor or neurodevelopmental findings were mixed.

Study & population

Systematic review and meta-analysis of preventive LNS trials in non-hospitalised infants and young children aged 6 to 23 months, mainly in low- and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia.

Intervention

Preventive lipid-based nutrient supplements were given with complementary foods, typically as a daily 20 g sachet for about 118 kcal/day, although some earlier trials used 20 g/day providing 108 kcal/day in different LNS formulations.

Key limitation

The evidence base was heterogeneous, with differences in LNS formulations, doses, duration, and co-interventions across trials.

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Original abstract