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Long‐term effects of micronutrient supplementation on school age child behavior
Author(s) -
Bahnfleth C–arlotte Lena,
MurrayKolb Laura E,
Schaefer Barbara,
Cole Pamela,
Katz Joanne,
Khatry Subarna K,
LeClerq Steven,
Tielsch James M,
Christian Parul
Publication year - 2013
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.27.1_supplement.845.7
Subject(s) - micronutrient , mood , placebo , zinc , confounding , randomized controlled trial , medicine , folic acid , zoology , biology , chemistry , psychiatry , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , pathology
Data on long‐term effects of preschool micronutrient supplementation on behavior are sparse. We examined behavior in 7–9 y old Nepali children (n=694) who received micronutrient supplements from 12–35 mo of age in a double‐masked RCT. Children were randomized to daily iron‐folic acid (IFA); zinc (Zn); iron‐folic acid+zinc (IFAZn); placebo (PL). Behavior was assessed on six dimensions (positive mood; negative mood; lively/active; sociability; sustained attention; demandingness) during two visits. Differences in behavioral ratings were examined relative to the PL for each supplement group. Additionally, those who received any zinc (Zn or IFAZn) or iron (IFA or IFAZn) were compared to those who did not. Overall, those who received IFA scored higher in sustained attention (p=0.05) and demandingness (p=0.02) and those who received IFAZn scored higher in sociability (p=0.04) compared to PL. After adjusting for confounders, the only difference remaining was higher demandingness scores in those who received IFA compared to PL (p=0.002). In both unadjusted and adjusted analyses, children who had received zinc vs. not were rated significantly higher in sociability (p=0.0007 and p=0.009, respectively), but no differences were found between those who received iron vs. not. Zinc supplementation between 12–35 mo appears to have a positive effect on sociability at 7–9 y. Grant Funding Source : NICHD and Gates Foundation