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Home fortification of complementary foods with micronutrient supplements is well accepted and has positive effects on infant iron status in Ghana ^1,2,3,4

¹ From the Program in International and Community Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA (SA-A, KHB, and KGD); the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana (AL); the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada (SZ); and IRD, Département Sociétés et Santé, Paris, France (AB)

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies are common during infancy, and optimal approaches for their prevention need to be identified.

Objective: The objective was to compare the efficacy and acceptability of Sprinkles (SP), crushable Nutritabs (NT), and fat-based Nutributter (NB; 108 kcal/d), which provide 6, 16, and 19 vitamins and minerals, respectively, when used for home fortification of complementary foods.

Design: Ghanaian infants were randomly assigned to receive SP (n = 105), NT (n = 105), or NB (n = 103) daily from 6 to 12 mo of age. We assessed dietary intake, morbidity, and compliance weekly. Hemoglobin and plasma ferritin, TfR, C-reactive protein, and zinc were measured at 6 and 12 mo. We used an exit interview to assess acceptability. A randomly selected control group of infants who received no intervention (NI; n = 96) were assessed at 12 mo.

Results: All supplements were well accepted, and the mean percentage of days that supplements were consumed (87%) did not differ between groups. At 12 mo, all 3 intervention groups had significantly higher ferritin and lower TfR concentrations than did the NI control group. Mean (± SD) hemoglobin was significantly higher in NT (112 ± 14 g/L) and NB (114 ± 14 g/L) but not in SP (110 ± 14 g/L) infants than in NI infants (106 ± 14 g/L). The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 31% in the NI control group compared with 10% in the intervention groups combined (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: All 3 options for home fortification of complementary foods are effective for reducing the prevalence of iron deficiency in such populations.

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