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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2012 Apr;8(2):239-48.
doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8709.2011.00294.x. Epub 2011 Feb 22.

Developmental outcomes among 18-month-old Malawians after a year of complementary feeding with lipid-based nutrient supplements or corn-soy flour

John C Phuka  1 , Melissa Gladstone, Kenneth Maleta, Chrissie Thakwalakwa, Yin Bun Cheung, André Briend, Mark J Manary, Per Ashorn
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Developmental outcomes among 18-month-old Malawians after a year of complementary feeding with lipid-based nutrient supplements or corn-soy flour

John C Phuka et al. Matern Child Nutr. 2012 Apr.

Abstract

The major aim of this trial was to compare the development of 18-month-old infants who received complementary feeding for 1 year either with lipid-based nutrient supplements or micronutrient fortified corn-soy porridge. Our secondary aim was to determine the socio-economic factors associated with developmental outcomes in the same population. A total of 163 six-month-old rural Malawian children were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial where the control population received daily supplementation with 71 g corn-soy flour [Likuni Phala (LP)] (282 kcal) and individuals in the intervention groups received daily either 50 g of lipid-based nutrient supplement (FS50) (264 kcal) or 25 g of lipid-based nutrient supplement (FS25) (130 kcal). The main outcome measures were Griffiths' developmental scores at 0-2 years. Independent comparison of study groups was carried out using analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistics where mean raw scores, quotients, or mental ages were compared. Association of developmental outcome with predictor variables were examined using multiple regression. At 18 months of chronological age, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) mental ages in the LP, FS50, and FS25 groups were 17.9 ± 1.3, 17.9 ± 1.3, and 17.9 ± 1.2 (P > 0.99), respectively. Likewise, the mean raw developmental scores and mean developmental quotients did not differ significantly. Length-for-age z-score gain during the intervention period, and maternal education were associated with developmental outcome at 18 months (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04; respectively). In conclusion, rural Malawian infants receiving 12-month daily supplementation of their diet either with the tested lipid-based nutrient supplements or fortified corn-soy flour have comparable development outcomes by 18 months of age.

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Conflict of interest statement

André Briend was a staff member of the World Health Organization. André Briend alone was responsible for the views expressed in this publication and they do not necessarily represent the decisions or stated policy of the World Organization.

André Briend was a consultant to Nutriset until December, 2003 and the company has also financially supported the planning of another research project by the same study team through Per Ashorn and the University of Tampere after the completion of this trial. Other authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders of trial had no role in the implementation, analysis or reporting.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow of participants. FS25, fortified spread, 25 g day−1; FS50, fortified spread, 50 g day−1; LP, Likuni Phala.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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