Randomized efficacy trial of a micronutrient-fortified beverage in primary school children in Tanzania.

Study answer

What this study found

The fortified beverage improved hematologic status, vitamin A status, and growth compared with the unfortified beverage. Hemoglobin declined less in the fortified group than in the nonfortified group (−3.2 ± 13 vs −6.7 ± 13; between-group P = 0.001), ferritin increased more, and ferritin < 12 g/L fell to 1.3% versus 6.7% (RR 0.18; P = 0.001). Anemia at follow-up was lower with fortification (26.3% vs 35.6%; RR 0.73; P = 0.005), and vitamin A deficiency declined from 21.4% to 11.3% in the fortified group while remaining 19.7% in the nonfortified group. Weight, height, and BMI gains were also…

Study & population

Randomized, school-based efficacy trial in rural primary-school children in Mpwapwa District, Tanzania.

Intervention

Children in the active intervention group received an orange-flavored fortified beverage as a 25-g sachet mixed with 250 mL of previously boiled water, taken orally 5 days per week for 6 months.

Key limitation

The intervention was only 6 months long and was tested in one rural district, which limits generalizability.

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Original abstract