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Iron and zinc supplementation promote motor development and exploratory behavior among Bangladeshi infants
Maureen M Black1, Abdullah H Baqui, K Zaman
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA. black@peds.umaryland.edu
Insights
Weekly iron and zinc supplementation improved infant motor development and orientation-engagement in low-income countries. Combining these minerals with other micronutrients showed beneficial effects on infant development and behavior.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Public Health Nutrition
Background:
- Iron and zinc deficiencies are common in infants in low-income regions.
- Micronutrient deficiencies can negatively impact infant development and behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of weekly iron, zinc, iron+zinc, or a micronutrient mix (MM) supplementation on infant development and behavior.
- To assess the impact of these supplements on motor development, cognitive function, and behavioral engagement.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind trial involving 221 infants at risk of deficiencies in rural Bangladesh.
- Infants received weekly supplements of iron, zinc, iron+zinc, a micronutrient mix, or riboflavin from 6 to 12 months of age.
- Development and behavior were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II and the HOME scale.
Main Results:
- Combined iron and zinc supplementation, with or without other micronutrients, positively influenced infant motor development.
- Both individual and combined iron and zinc supplements enhanced orientation-engagement in infants.
- No significant effects on hemoglobin concentration were observed, and hemoglobin levels did not correlate with developmental or behavioral outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Weekly supplementation with iron and zinc, particularly when administered together, offers benefits for infant motor development and orientation-engagement.
- These findings highlight the importance of adequate iron and zinc intake for optimal infant development in vulnerable populations.
Background:
Iron and zinc deficiency are prevalent during infancy in low-income countries.
Objectives:
The objectives were to examine whether a weekly supplement of iron, zinc, iron+zinc, or a micronutrient mix (MM) of 16 vitamins and minerals would alter infant development and behavior.
Design:
The participants were 221 infants from rural Bangladesh at risk of micronutrient deficiencies. Development and behavior were evaluated at 6 and 12 mo of age by using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II and the Home Observation Measurement of Environment (HOME) scale. In this double-blind trial, the infants were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatment conditions: iron (20 mg), zinc (20 mg), iron+zinc, MM (16 vitamins and minerals, including iron and zinc), or riboflavin weekly from 6 to 12 mo. Multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the change in development and behavior for each supplementation group, with control for maternal education, HOME score, months breastfed, anemia, growth at 6 mo, and change in growth from 6 to 12 mo.
Results:
Iron and zinc administered together and with other micronutrients had a beneficial effect on infant motor development. Iron and zinc administered individually and in combination had a beneficial effect on orientation-engagement. Two-thirds of the infants were mildly anemic, no treatment effects on hemoglobin concentration were observed, and hemoglobin was not associated with measures of development or behavior.
Conclusion:
The beneficial effects of weekly iron and zinc supplementation on motor development and orientation-engagement suggest that infants benefit from these minerals when administered together.
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