Iron and zinc supplementation promote motor development and exploratory behavior among Bangladeshi infants

Maureen M. Black, Abdullah H. Baqui, K. Zaman, Lars Ake Persson, Shams E. El Arifeen, Katherine Le, Scot W. McNary, Monowara Parveen, Jena D. Hamadani, Robert E. Black

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

169 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Iron and zinc deficiency are prevalent during infancy in low-income countries. Objectives: The objectives were to examine whether a weekly supplement of iron, zinc, iron+zinc, ora micronutrient mix (MM) of 16 vitamins and minerals would alter infant development and behavior. Design: The participants were 221 infants from rural Bangladesh at risk of micronutrient deficiencies. Development and behavior were evaluated at 6 and 12 mo of age by using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II and the Home Observation Measurement of Environment (HOME) scale. In this double-blind trial, the infants were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatment conditions: iron (20 mg), zinc (20 mg), iron+zinc, MM (16 vitamins and minerals, including iron and zinc), or riboflavin weekly from 6 to 12 mo. Multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the change in development and behavior for each supplementation group, with control for maternal education, HOME score, months breastfed, anemia, growth at 6 mo, and change in growth from 6 to 12 mo. Results: Iron and zinc administered together and with other micronutrients had a beneficial effect on infant motor development. Iron and zinc administered individually and in combination had a beneficial effect on orientation-engagement. Two-thirds of the infants were mildly anemic, no treatment effects on hemoglobin concentration were observed, and hemoglobin was not associated with measures of development or behavior. Conclusion: The beneficial effects of weekly iron and zinc supplementation on motor development and orientation-engagement suggest that infants benefit from these minerals when administered together.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)903-910
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume80
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2004

Keywords

  • Bangladesh
  • Functional isolation
  • Infant development
  • Iron
  • Micronutrient supplementation
  • Zinc

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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