Small-quantity Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements, Together with Malaria and Diarrhea Treatment, Improve Growth and Development in Young Burkinabe Children

Abstract

Objectives: Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement (SQ-LNS) is a promising home fortification product to supplement young children's diets, but the optimal zinc level to include is uncertain. We assessed growth and development in young Burkinabe children who received SQ-LNS without or with varied amounts of zinc. Methods: In a partially masked, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, 34 communities were assigned to immediate (II) or non-intervention (NI). 2469 eligible II children were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups to receive 20 g LNS/d containing 0, 5 or 10 mg of zinc (and placebo tablet) or LNS without zinc and 5 mg zinc tablet from 9-18 mo of age, along with treatment of malaria and diarrhea. Children in NI (n=797) received neither SQ-LNS, tablets nor morbidity treatment. At 9 and 18 mo, length, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were measured in all children. In a randomly selected subgroup, motor, language, and personal-social development was assessed at 18 mo (n=747 II; n=376 DI). Results: Reported adherence was 97±5% for SQ-LNS and tablets. Length, weight, MUAC and developmental scores were significantly greater at 18 mo in children who received SQ-LNS and morbidity treatment (p<0.001) compared to NI, but did not differ by II group. Stunting prevalence at 18 mo was 39% in children in NI and significantly reduced to 24-33% in children in the II groups (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Providing daily 20 g LNS with or without zinc along with malaria and diarrhea treatment significantly improved growth and motor, language, and personal-social development in young children.