Abstract

OROZCO C, Juliana et al. The effect of powdered micronutrients on the hematologic values and nutritional status of healthy preschoolers. Medellín, 2013. Rev. Fac. Nac. Salud Pública [online]. 2015, vol.33, n.2, pp.161-170. ISSN 0120-386X.  https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.rfnsp.v33n2a03.

Micronutrient deficiencies are a common public health problem, particularly in developing countries. Vitamin A, iron and iodine deficiencies are the most prevalent. To reduce these, many strategies such as food fortification can be implemented. OBJECTIVE:to assess the effect of a diet fortified with powdered micronutrients on the nutritional status and hematological values of healthy preschoolers. METHODOLOGY: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted with 90 healthy preschoolers who were given 1g of powdered micronutrients per day with 12.5 mg of iron (ferrous fumarate).The levels of hemoglobin, serum ferritin, transferrin, folic acid and the nutritional indicators were measured before and after nine weeks. RESULTS:for the group receiving powdered micronutrients, hemoglobin concentration decreased from 12.80 g / dL to 12.10 g / dL (p = 0.000), whereas the placebo group showed no change (p = 0.639); likewise, transferrin decreased significantly only for the powdered micronutrients group (p = 0.004); the ferritin level showed no difference between groups or inside any of them. Adverse reactions were similar for both groups:two children had nausea and two abdominal pain. There were no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS:fortifying the individuals' diet with the powdered micronutrients used in this study for nine weeks did not improve the hematological levels or the nutritional status of the healthy preschoolers. Additionally, the fortified foods were well tolerated by the children.

Keywords : preschooler; foods; anthropometry; heme; micronutrients.

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