Prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation has greater impact on birthweight than supplementation with iron and folic acid: a cluster-randomized, double-blind, controlled programmatic study in rural Niger.

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including reduced birthweight. Low birthweight is associated with increased risk of infant mortality and growth failure.

Objectives: To assess the effects of prenatal supplementation with UNIMMAP (United Nations International Multiple Micronutrient Preparation) compared with iron/folic acid on average birthweight and incidence of low birthweight.

Salt dual-fortified with iodine and micronized ground ferric pyrophosphate affects iron status but not hemoglobin in children in Cote d'Ivoire.

Deficiencies of iron and iodine are common in West Africa, and salt is one of very few food vehicles available for fortification. Salt dual-fortified with iodine and micronized ground ferric pyrophosphate (FePP) was tested for its efficacy in rural, tropical Côte d'Ivoire. First, salt and iron intakes, and iron bioavailability were estimated using 3-d weighed food records in 24 households.

Serum transferrin receptor and zinc protoporphyrin as indicators of iron status in African children.

Background: Although transferrin receptor (TfR) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) are often used to define iron status in school-age children in developing countries, the diagnostic cutoffs for this age group are uncertain.

Objective: The objective was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of TfR and ZnPP in predicting iron deficiency in black and white children in Africa.

Design: Hemoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum ferritin (SF), TfR, and ZnPP were measured in children in Côte d'Ivoire and Morocco.

The effect of retinyl palmitate added to iron-fortified maize porridge on erythrocyte incorporation of iron in African children with vitamin A deficiency.

Retinyl palmitate added to Fe-fortified maize bread has been reported to enhance Fe absorption in adult Venezuelan subjects but not in Western Europeans. It is not known to what extent these results were influenced by differences in vitamin A status of the study subjects. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of retinyl palmitate added to Fe-fortified maize porridge on erythrocyte incorporation of Fe in children with vitamin A deficiency, before and after vitamin A supplementation.

Thyroid size and goiter prevalence after introduction of iodized salt: a 5-y prospective study in schoolchildren in Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: The long-term goal of salt iodization is elimination of iodine deficiency and reduction of the goiter rate to < 5% in school-aged children. Normalization of the goiter rate probably indicates disappearance of iodine deficiency disorders as a public health problem. However, thyroid size may not return to normal for months or years after correction of iodine deficiency.

[Assessment of iodine content of dietary salt in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)].

Côte d'Ivoire is one of the countries engaged in the strategy of universal salt iodization set up to prevent and control iodine deficiency disorders. However, no systematic monitoring of iodine content of salt has been performed up to now. Therefore, a survey was conducted on a random sample of 400 households in the Marcory district of Abidjan in order to study consumers' behaviour regarding the purchase and storage of salt, and to determine the iodine content of dietary salt.

Treatment of iron deficiency in goitrous children improves the efficacy of iodized salt in Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: In many developing countries, children are at high risk of both goiter and iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency adversely affects thyroid metabolism and may reduce the efficacy of iodine prophylaxis in areas of endemic goiter.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether iron supplementation in goitrous, iron-deficient children would improve their response to iodized salt.