Christine P. Stewart|Parul Christian|Steven C. LeClerq|Keith P. West|Subarna K. Khatry
Antenatal supplementation with folic acid + iron + zinc improves linear growth and reduces peripheral adiposity in school-age children in rural Nepal
Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins University
previously reported randomized controlled trial antenatal micronutrient supplements rural nepal decreased risk low birth weight approximately 15the objective examine effects micronutrient supplementation growth body composition children supplemented mothers school agemothers received 1 5 micronutrient supplements daily folic acid folic acid iron folic acid iron zinc multiple micronutrients control supplements contained vitamin children born trial revisited age 68 measure height weight midupper arm circumference waist circumference triceps subscapular skinfold thicknesses arm fat muscle area estimated using standard formulas heightforage weightforage body mass indexforage z scores calculated using world health organization growth standardof 3771 surviving children 3324 revisited consented anthropometric measurements maternal supplementation folic acid iron zinc resulted increase mean height 064 cm 95 ci 004 125 reduction mean triceps skinfold thickness 025 mm 95 ci 044 006 subscapular skinfold thickness 020 mm 95 ci 033 006 arm fat area 018 cm2 034 001 significant differences found groups mean weight body mass indexforage z scores waist circumference arm muscle area micronutrient combinations including multiple micronutrient formulation failed show growth benefitantenatal supplementation zinc may benefit child growth particularly areas deficiency nutrient common