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Evidence of the impact of multiple micronutrient supplements on the growth of pre-school children: a systematic review

Objectives:

to put together evidence of the effect of multiple micronutrient supplements on the growth of preschool children, with special emphasis on the effects in combination or in isolation of zinc, iron and vitamin A.

Methods:

the PubMed database was searched for randomized clinical trials and meta analytical systematic review articles. The selected articles were published between 1995 and May 2013, using a range of descriptors (child, preschool OR infant) AND (growth) AND (zinc AND iron AND vitamin A) OR (zinc AND iron) OR (zinc AND vitamin A) OR (iron AND vitamin A).

Results:

thirty three articles were selected for the present review. Twenty nine were clinical trials and four meta analytical systematic reviews. The administration of nutritional supplements containing combinations of zinc, iron and vitamin A may increase the potential for growth in children and has a stronger effect than multiple supplements, a placebo or the child's habitual diet, or than single or dual supplements. The combination of zinc and vitamin A is the best dual supplement option. The effect of the three nutrient supplement compared with the other options (placebo, single, dual, or multiple supplements), as well as the various effects of supplementation according to the nutritional status and/or age of the children, still require more in depth investigation to provide a guide for prevention strategies.

Conclusions:

multiple micronutrient supplements have positive effects on linear growth the extent of which depend on the supplementation regimen adopted.

Growth; Body height; Micronutrients; Zinc; Iron; Vitamin A; Child; preschool


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