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Effect of Iron‐Folic Acid and Zinc Supplementation on the Language Acquisition of Young Nepali Children
Author(s) -
Siegel Emily H.,
Stoltzfus Rebecca,
Katz Joanne,
Khatry Subarna,
LeClerq Steven,
Tielsch James
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a681-c
Subject(s) - placebo , hemoglobin , micronutrient , medicine , anemia , zinc protoporphyrin , zinc , iron deficiency , pediatrics , biochemistry , chemistry , heme , pathology , alternative medicine , enzyme , organic chemistry
Language acquisition coincides with the increased requirement of micronutrient‐rich foods for growth and development. This study examined the effect of iron‐folic acid and/or zinc supplementation on language acquisition among young Nepali children. In Sarlahi District, Nepal, mothers of 569 infants from 4‐ to 16‐months of age were questioned every three months for a year about their child's language skills. Study children were enrolled in a cluster‐randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial of daily supplementation with 10 mg zinc, 12.5 mg iron and 50 μg folic acid, zinc‐iron‐folic acid, or placebo. Children less than 12 months were given half the above dose. 86.8% of the sample had baseline nutritional measurements: mean hemoglobin (SD) was 101 (12.5) g/L, 58% were anemic (hemoglobin < 105 g/L), 43 % were iron deficient (anemia with erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) < 90 μmol/mole heme), 30% were stunted (length‐for‐age < −2 SD), and 18% were wasted (weight‐for‐length < −2 SD). The results suggest that the four groups were not similar prior to data collection. Compared to the other groups, the zinc group had more high caste members, children from families with more material assets, less severe stunting, and less anemia. Adjusted linear regression models revealed no differences between the three treatment and placebo groups on language acquisition. The supplementation did not have a measurable effect on language acquisition among these young Nepali children.