Multiple micronutrient supplementation using spirulina platensis during the first 1000 days is positively associated with development in preschool-aged children: a follow up of a randomized trial in Zambia

Kazuya Masuda and Maureen Chitundu

No 2018-20, CEI Working Paper Series from Center for Economic Institutions, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University

Abstract: Early childhood development relies on various micronutrients. We recently reported that home fortification of complementary foods using spirulina reduced the time to attain motor milestone in Zambian infants. The objective of this study is to estimate the long-term associations between spirulina supplementation during the first 1000 days and child gross motor development, fine motor development, language, and personal-social skill at preschool age. We used longitudinal data from a randomized trial conducted in Zambia. In 2015, 501 infants (age, 6–18 months) were provided daily supplements of maize-soy-based porridge with spirulina (SP) and without spirulina (CON). Supplementation period lasted for 16 months. In January 2018, children who participated in the initial trial were resurveyed (CON: 182 children; SP: 188 children; now aged 36–48 months). We assessed the infants’ gross motor development, fine motor development, language, and personal-social skill using a modified version of Malawi Development Assessment Tool. The initial clinical trial registration number was NCT03523182 (ClinicalTrial.gov). Children in the SP group had higher scores on gross and fine motor development, language, and social skill than those in the CON group. Home fortification of complementary foods using spirulina during the first 1000 days improved development among Zambian at preschool age

Keywords: malnutrition; home-fortification; motor development; language skill; personal-social skill; Zambia; spirulina; the first 1000 days (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 28 pages
Date: 2019-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dev
Note: Ethical reference number: IRB00001131 of IORG0000774
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hit:hitcei:2018-20

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