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Updated: Aug 23, 2026

A Point-of-Care Method with Integrated Decision Support Tool to Estimate Anemia at Population Level
05:35

A Point-of-Care Method with Integrated Decision Support Tool to Estimate Anemia at Population Level

Published on: January 19, 2024

[Effect of complementary food supplements on anemia in infant and young children]

Yuying Wang1, Chunming Chen, Mei Jia

  • 1National Center for Public Health Surveillance and Information Services, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.

Wei Sheng Yan Jiu = Journal of Hygiene Research
|June 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Protein and multi-micronutrient supplements significantly increased hemoglobin and reduced anemia in young children over 12 months. Vitamin A supplementation also contributed to these positive outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Anemia is a significant public health concern in infants and young children, particularly in resource-limited settings.
  • Nutritional deficiencies, including protein and micronutrient inadequacies, are primary contributors to anemia in this age group.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of complementary food supplements containing protein and multi-micronutrients on hemoglobin levels and anemia prevalence.
  • To assess the efficacy of these supplements in improving nutritional status among infants and young children.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 5 poor counties of Gansu province, China.
  • Children aged 4-12 months were assigned to receive either Formula I (protein and micronutrients) or Formula II (control).
  • Hemoglobin levels were monitored every six months, and Vitamin A was administered to all participants until 24 months of age.

Main Results:

  • No significant baseline differences in hemoglobin or anemia prevalence were observed between the groups.
  • Formula I supplementation led to a statistically significant increase in hemoglobin compared to Formula II over 12 months (P < 0.0005).
  • A significant reduction in anemia prevalence was observed in the Formula I group compared to Formula II (P < 0.0005), with significant differences in hemoglobin increase noted until 24 months (P = 0.006).

Conclusions:

  • Complementary food supplements rich in protein and multi-micronutrients are effective in improving hemoglobin levels.
  • Supplementation with micronutrients and high-dose Vitamin A can significantly decrease the prevalence of anemia in infants and young children.
  • These findings support the use of targeted nutritional interventions to combat anemia in vulnerable pediatric populations.
Abstract

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