Dose-effect of iron-folic acid and multiple micronutrient supplementation on hemoglobin concentration in pregnancy

Anemia and micronutrient deficiencies in infancy are common in low-income settings. These are partly due to maternal malnutrition and may impair child health and development. We studied the impact of maternal food and micronutrient supplementation, duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), growth and infection on infant anemia and micronutrient status. In the MINIMat trial in Matlab, Bangladesh, pregnant women were randomized to Early or Usual promotion of enrolment in a food supplementation program and to one of three daily micronutrient supplements. Capsules containing 400µg folic acid and (a) 30 mg iron (Fe30Fol), (b) 60 mg iron (Fe60Fol), (c) 30 mg iron and other micronutrients (MMS) were provided from week 14 of gestation. Capsule intake was assessed with the eDEM device recording supplement container openings. Blood samples (n=2377) from women at week 14 and 30 were analyzed for hemoglobin (Hb). Duration of EBF and infant morbidity was based on monthly maternal recalls. Infants were weighed and measured monthly. Blood samples (n=1066) from 6-months-old infants were analyzed for Hb and plasma ferritin, zinc, retinol, vitamin B12 and folate. In women, Hb increase per capsule reached a plateau at 60 Fe60Fol capsules, indicating that nine weeks of daily supplementation produced maximum Hb response. Anemia was common (36%) at capsule intakes >60 indicating other causes of anemia than iron deficiency. In infants, vitamin B12 deficiency prevalence was lower in the MMS (26.1%) than in the Fe30Fol group (36.5%), (p=0.003) and zinc deficiency prevalence was lower in the Usual than in the Early group. There were no other differential effects of food or micronutrient supplementation on infant anemia or micronutrient status. Infants exclusively breast-fed for 4-6 months had a higher mean plasma zinc concentration (9.9±2.3 µmol/L) than infants exclusively breast-fed for <4 months (9.5±2.0 µmol/L), (p< 0.01). No other differences in anemia, iron or zinc status were observed between EBF categories. Infection, low birth weight and iron deficiency were independent risk factors for infant anemia. Regardless of studied interventions, prevalence of anemia (43%), deficiency of zinc (56%), vitamin B12, vitamin A (19%) and iron (22%) in infancy was high and further preventive strategies are needed.