Iron is an essential micronutrient for human health and inadequate intake may result in iron deficiency (ID) or iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). In western region of Cameroon, 39 % of children under 59 months suffering from IDA. To reduce the high prevalence of IDA, the evaluation of nutritional potential of complementary food is very necessary to improve the nutritional status of the young children. The objective of this study is to determine the influence of complementary food composition on prevalence of anemia among young children living in West Cameroon. A food interview survey was carried out among 50 families (25 families with children having Hb ≥ 11 g/dL and 25 families having children with Hb ≤ 11 g/d/L). Ten complementary foods frequently consumed by children were recruited near the families. The amount of food nutrient intake per day was also determined. The data were analyzed using ANOVA (p ≤ 0.05) and the principal component analysis (PCA). The PCA shows that corn meal with vegetables was a dish with high level in iron, fats, dietary fiber and calcium. The complementary food based on corn meal with okra and those based on Irish potatoes with beans and fishes were higher in protein, ash, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and zinc. The other dishes based on irish potatoes, rice, peanuts and corn meal porridge had high levels of carbohydrates. There was no significant difference between the daily iron, protein, calcium, and potassium intakes between anemic and non anemic children. However, food intake of anemic children was low compared with non-anemic children. The daily iron intake of the children ranged between 23.73 % and 42.27 % of their iron requirement daily. Their daily iron was generally poor. Though, most of their foods were of plant source whose nutrients are poorly bioavailable. Therefore, application of improved food processing and storage techniques, good dietary diversification and fortification with intensified nutrition education would reduce iron deficiency anemia in the area.
Malnutrition is the underlying cause of 50% of morbidity and mortality in the under-five age group. Its frequencies have been increasing in young Cameroon children during the past three decades (stunting 38%; anemia 58%; Zinc 69% and vitamin A 38%) We carried out a prospective study to assess the supplementation effect of Spirulina platensis on moderate and mild malnutrition on children under five years old. Seven children (4-5 years) were enrolled in this study. Children were enrolled in nutritional rehabilitation for 25 days. Each child received 8g of supplement daily, 4g in the morning and 4g in the evening. Anthropometric and haematologic parameters were measured before and after rehabilitation. Mild and moderate malnutrition, wasting and underweight was seen in 4 children anthropometrically (no child was stunted) and haematologically in all 7 children before rehabilitation started. The children were weighted four times (First week at enrollment (W1), week 2 (W2), Week 3 (W3), Week 4 (W4)). After 25 days, a significant gain in weight was observed and varying from 17.21 ± 2.00Kg (W1) to 18.45 ± 2.07Kg (W2) and from 18.143 ± 1.77Kg (W3) to 18.67 ± 1.93Kg (W4) with their respective P-values at 0.02 (W2), 0.02 (W3) and 0.04 (W4) after rehabilitation. The following biomarkers and their constants also showed a significant variation: calcium (73.91 ± 16.89mg/L vs 88.41 ± 14.83mg/L (p = 0.03), mean cell volume (86.14 ± 4.38 fl vs 83.86 ± 4.83 fl (p = 0.04) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (32.10 ± 0.38 g/dL vs 34.27 ± 3.35 g/dL (p = 0.03) respectively before and after rehabilitation. Other biomarkers (proteins, haemoglobin, haematocrit, platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells, neutrophiles, eosinophiles, basophiles, monocytes, lymphocytes) had also increased in non a significant manner. The study showed that spirulina platensis impact positively in the fight against malnutrition by improving weight and raising the blood content of biomarkers due to its high content of proteins (60-70%) and pigments.
Malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among infant and young children remain a public health problem in Cameroon. This study was designed to assess the current food behaviors and nutritional status of children aged 6 to 24 months in Douala (Cameroon). A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out for a period of 9 months at a Health Care Center and four district hospitals in Douala. The study was conducted among 333 children aged 6-24 months of both sexes together with their mothers or caregivers. Data were collected using a modified questionnaire developed by the FAO/WHO. Information on socio-demographic status, feeding habits and anthropometric parameters were recorded. Anthropometric measurements taken included weight, length, brachial perimeter and age. Subsequently, a blood sample was taken to measure the hemoglobin level in children whose mothers had given their consent, using the Hemocue Hb 301 method. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22.0. A P value ≤0.05 was considered as significant. Z-score classifications for malnutrition: weight for length, length for age and weight for age were compared with reference data from WHO standards. This study showed that: only 19.53%, 27.33% and 30.6% respectively of the children had a high dietary diversity score, a high meal frequency. Exclusive breastfeeding rate was 22.52% and 26.43% of children were breastfed within one hour after birth. Furthermore, the study showed that, 25.8%, 23.1%, 27% and 35.1% of children were underweight, wasted, stunted and anemic respectively. Among them, 28.8% and 6.3% were suffering of mild anemia and moderate anemia respectively. Moreover, no significant relationship was observed between nutritional status of children and socio-demographic characteristics of mothers (P>0.05). Some of the feeding practices were associated with poor nutritional status and could be improved with good nutrition education programs.
Iron, zinc and vitamin A deficiencies co-exist in Cameroon in all age groups. However, natural sources of vitamin A are available and could be used to meet the need of the whole population in association with iron and zinc supplementation. This study aims at assessing the serum levels of zinc and iron after 11 days of supplementation. The study enrolled 26 men (18-33 years), distributed into five groups. From the first day, they were supplemented with 20 mg of zinc and iron, taken each alone, both either together or at two different times. The five last days, participants were put on free vitamin A diets. Serums were obtained at day 1, day 5 and day 11 for Zn and Fe levels determination by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The highest serum iron and zinc concentrations were observed in groups either supplemented with zinc or with iron given alone. In those two groups, serum Zn concentrations increased from 0.69 μg/mL ± 0.02 μg/mL to 0.95 μg/mL ± 0.13 μg/mL (group 2), from 0.48 μg/mL ± 0.06 μg/mL to 0.97 μg/mL ± 0.11 μg/mL (group 3); and serum Fe concentrations from 1.49 μg/mL ± 0.54 μg/mL to 3.49 μg/mL ± 1.01 μg/mL (group 2); and from 1.42 μg/mL ± 0.45 μg/mL to 3.41 μg/mL ± 0.81 μg/mL (group 3), respectively. Supplementation with Fe or Zn alone increased both Fe and Zn serum levels of participants. Serum levels of iron and zinc when given together or at different time were not significantly different. Further studies on a larger population are necessary to confirm that supplementation with zinc or with iron alone could raise both zinc and iron levels in serum simultaneously.
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