BackgroundMultiple micronutrients in powder (MNP) are recommended by WHO to prevent anemia in young children. However, evidences for its effectiveness in different populations and improvements in other outcomes (e.g. linear growth and vitamin A deficiency) are scarce.MethodsA multicentre pragmatic controlled trial was carried out in primary health centres. At study baseline, a control group (CG) of children aged 10- to 14 months (n = 521) was recruited in the routine healthcare for assessing anemia, anthropometric and micronutrient status. At the same time, an intervention group (IG) of infants aged 6- to 8 months (n = 462) was recruited to receive MNP daily in complementary feeding over a period of 60 days. Both study groups were compared when the IG infants reached the age of the CG children at enrolment.ResultsIn CG, the prevalence of anemia [hemoglobin (Hb) < 110 g/L], iron deficiency (ID, plasma ferritin < 12 μg/L or TfR > 8.3 mg/L), and vitamin A deficiency (VAD, serum retinol < 0.70μmol/L) were 23.1%, 37.4%, and 17.4%, respectively. Four to six months after enrolment, when the IG participants had the same age of the controls at the time of testing, the prevalence of anemia, ID and VAD in IG were 14.3%, 30.1% and 7.9%, respectively. Adjusting for city, health centre, maternal education, and age, IG children had a lower likelihood of anemia and VAD [Prevalence Ratio (95% CI) = 0.63 (0.45, 0.88) and 0.45 (0.29, 0.69), respectively] when compared with CG children. The adjusted mean distributions of Hb and length-for-age Z-scores improved by 2 SE in the IG compared to CG children.ConclusionsMNP effectively reduced anemia and improved growth and micronutrient status among young Brazilian children.Trial RegistrationRegistro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clinicos RBR-5ktv6b

Low- to middle-income countries may experience the occurrence of a dual burden of under and overnutrition. To better understand the overall progression of body mass index (BMI) during childhood, we estimated average BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) growth curves in a population-based longitudinal study of 255 children living in the Brazilian Amazon. Children were aged 0.1-5.5 years at recruitment (2003). We collected data on socio-economic and maternal characteristics, children's birthweight and infant feeding practices. Child anthropometric measurements were taken in 2003, 2007 and 2009. BAZ differences among categories of exposure variables were calculated at 6 and 12 months, and 2, 7 and 10 years. At baseline, the mean (standard deviation) age was 2.6 (1.4) years; 12.9% were overweight and 3.9% thin. After adjustment, mean BAZ estimates were mostly negative. Boys were close to the median value for BAZ until 12 months, whereas girls were below the median (P=0.05). Children from households above the wealth median were 0.36 z- and 0.49 z-less underweight than poorer children at 7 and 10 years, respectively (P<0.01). Maternal BMI was positively associated with children's BAZ since 12 months old; BAZ in children from overweight mothers was higher by 0.69 compared with their counterparts at 10 years (P<0.01). Birthweight was positively related to BAZ up until 2 years (P=0.01). Socio-economic background and maternal nutritional status are important predictors of BAZ throughout childhood. Although excessive weight gain is a public health concern, it is critical to restrict inequities, while promoting healthier growth in developing countries.

BackgroundAlthough linear growth during childhood may be affected by early-life exposures, few studies have examined whether the effects of these exposures linger on during school age, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.MethodsWe conducted a population-based longitudinal study of 256 children living in the Brazilian Amazon, aged 0.1 y to 5.5 y in 2003. Data regarding socioeconomic and maternal characteristics, infant feeding practices, morbidities, and birth weight and length were collected at baseline of the study (2003). Child body length/height was measured at baseline and at follow-up visits (in 2007 and 2009). Restricted cubic splines were used to construct average height-for-age Z score (HAZ) growth curves, yielding estimated HAZ differences among exposure categories at ages 0.5 y, 1 y, 2 y, 5 y, 7 y, and 10 y.ResultsAt baseline, median age was 2.6 y (interquartile range, 1.4 y–3.8 y), and mean HAZ was −0.53 (standard deviation, 1.15); 10.2% of children were stunted. In multivariable analysis, children in households above the household wealth index median were 0.30 Z taller at age 5 y (P = 0.017), and children whose families owned land were 0.34 Z taller by age 10 y (P = 0.023), when compared with poorer children. Mothers in the highest tertile for height had children whose HAZ were significantly higher compared with those of children from mothers in the lowest height tertile at all ages. Birth weight and length were positively related to linear growth throughout childhood; by age 10 y, children weighing >3500 g at birth were 0.31 Z taller than those weighing 2501 g to 3500 g (P = 0.022) at birth, and children measuring ≥51 cm at birth were 0.51 Z taller than those measuring ≤48 cm (P = 0.005).ConclusionsResults suggest socioeconomic background is a potentially modifiable predictor of linear growth during the school-aged years. Maternal height and child’s anthropometric characteristics at birth are positively associated with HAZ up until child age 10 y.

Objective: We examined associations between the frequency of fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption and nutritional deficiencies among Brazilian schoolchildren. Design: A cross-sectional, population-based study was performed. A short FFQ was used to assess consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&V) over the past month. The prevalence ratios (PR) and 95 % confidence intervals for stunting, obesity, anaemia, vitamin A and folate deficiencies, vitamin E and vitamin D insufficiencies were estimated for low F&V consumption frequency (vegetables ≤3 times/month and fruits ≤3 times/week) and compared with children with usual F&V consumption frequency (vegetables ≥1 time/week and fruits ≥4 times/week). Setting: Acrelândia, Western Brazilian Amazon. Subjects: A total of 702 children aged 4-10 years. Results: Only 5 % of children consumed F&V ≥5 times/d. Prevalence of deficiency was 31 %, 15 %, 9 % and 2 % for vitamins D, A, E and folate, respectively. Overall, 6·3 % of children were anaemic, 3·3 % were stunted, 2·7 % were obese and 33 % had multiple nutritional deficiencies. Low frequency of F&V consumption was associated with lower plasma concentrations of carotenoids and vitamin E. Nutritional deficiencies were higher among non-consumers of F&V when compared with usual consumers: anaemia (PR = 1·9; 95 % CI 1·0, 3·7), vitamin E insufficiency (PR = 2·5; 95 % CI 1·5, 4·2), vitamin D insufficiency (PR = 1·5; 95 % CI 1·1, 1·9) and stunting (PR = 2·6; 95 % CI 1·1, 6·1). Conclusions: In our study, the occurrence of nutritional deficiencies in children with low F&V consumption was twice as high as in children with usual F&V consumption, reinforcing the importance of effective actions to promote the consumption of F&V.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of stunting and overweight in children and identify demographic, socio-economic and maternal characteristics, as well as biochemical indicators, associated with these outcomes. Design: A population-based, cross-sectional study was performed. Data from structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and blood and stool samples were used in Poisson regression models to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) according to a hierarchical conceptual framework. Setting: Acrelândia, western Brazilian Amazon. Subjects: Children (n 1139) aged ,10 years. Results: Prevalence of stunting was 7?1 % (95 % CI 5?1, 9?6 %) and 3?7 % (95 % CI 2?4, 5?7 %) among children aged ,5 years and $5 years, respectively; overweight was detected in 20?6 % (95 % CI 17?4, 24?2 %) and 9?4 % (95 % CI 7?2, 12?1 %) of children aged ,5 years and $5 years, respectively. Among children ,5 years of age, stunting was positively associated with the lowest maternal height tertile (PR 5 2?16, 95 % CI 1?27, 3?68) were associated with overweight. Conclusions: Overweight was more prevalent than stunting, being associated with higher household wealth, maternal overweight, caesarean delivery, high birth weight, micronutrient deficiencies and high TAG concentration. Improvements in maternal and child health care with sustainable access to healthy food are necessary to reduce short-and long-term health complications related to overweight in this population. The prevalence of stunting (i.e. low length-or heightfor-age) from birth to 5 years has been decreasing worldwide, from 40 % in 1990 to 27 % in 2010 (1) , and this rate is expected to fall further to 22 % by 2020. In Latin American countries, for instance, the prevalence of stunting in 2010 was 13?5 % while a prevalence of 11?6 % is predicted by the year 2015(1)

Foram avaliados as concentrações séricas de vitaminas A e D e os fatores associados em crianças beneficiárias de programa de distribuição de leite fortificado, sendo utilizados modelos de regressão linear múltiplos com seleção hierárquica de variáveis independentes (condição sociodemográfica, de saúde, alimentação, amamentação, consumo do leite fortificado, exposição solar, antropometria, retinol e calcidiol séricos). Foram consideradas insuficiência e deficiência de vitamina A e de vitamina D as concentrações séricas < 1,05µmol/L, 0,70µmo/L, 30ng/mL e 20ng/mL, respectivamente. Houve inadequação do consumo alimentar de vitaminas A e D. As prevalências de insuficiência e deficiência de vitamina A e de vitamina D foram 19%, 6%, 82% e 58%, respectivamente. Os fatores associados às menores concentrações séricas de vitamina A foram: amamentação materna exclusiva < 120 dias, ausência de trabalho materno combinada com menor escolaridade materna, maior número de pessoas que consomem leite fortificado no domicílio e menor vitamina D sérica. Para a vitamina D, foram: menor exposição ao sol e menor vitamina A sérica. Ações de educação nutricional são necessárias para melhorar a situação nutricional dessas crianças.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a duração do aleitamento materno após a introdução de outro leite na alimentação infantil. Foi analisada uma coorte de 450 crianças selecionadas no hospital universitário de São Paulo na ocasião do parto, entre 1998 e 1999. Informações diárias sobre a alimentação da criança foram obtidas a partir de registro feito pela mãe. Para análise dos dados foi utilizada a técnica de análise de sobrevida, atuarial e Kaplan-Meier, e o modelo de Cox. Cinqüenta e quatro crianças (12,0%) não chegaram a receber leite não materno durante o tempo de observação, 193 (43,0%) tiveram a introdução de outro leite até sessenta dias de idade (grupo 1), 151 (33,5%) receberam leite não materno pela primeira vez entre sessenta e um e cento e oitenta dias (grupo 2) e 52 (11,5%) passaram a receber leite não materno depois de cento e oitenta dias (grupo 3). Os tempos medianos de duração da amamentação para os três grupos, após a introdução do leite não materno, foram, respectivamente, 76, 120 e 176 dias. Tomando como categoria basal o primeiro grupo, a razão de hazards do segundo grupo foi 0,73 (IC: 0,57-0,94) e a do terceiro foi 0,43 (IC: 0,26-0,72). Concluiu-se que quanto mais tarde é introduzido o outro leite, por mais tempo a mãe tende a amamentar, e as mães que desejam prolongar a amamentação retardam a introdução de outro leite e, após a introdução, mantêm pelo maior tempo possível a concomitância do outro leite com o leite materno.

Objective: To describe trends in the prevalence of anaemia and Fe deficiency in children under 2 years of age living in a town in western Brazilian Amazonia. Design: Temporal analysis of two cross-sectional population-based surveys. Information on socio-economic status, morbidity and breast-feeding was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Child weight and length were measured for anthropometric evaluation. Concentrations of blood Hb, plasma ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor were measured. Setting: The town of Acrelândia, state of Acre, north-west Brazil. Conclusions: No improvements were observed in the prevalence of anaemia, exposing a worrying scenario for public health, while a significant increase was found in the prevalence of Fe deficiency in the studied infants and toddlers.