Effect of iron fortification on anaemia and risk of malaria among Ghanaian pre-school children with haemoglobinopathies and different ABO blood groups.

Background: Haemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disorder and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency as well as differences in ABO blood groups have been shown to influence the risk of malaria and/or anaemia in malaria-endemic areas. This study assessed the effect of adding MNP containing iron to home-made weaning meals on anaemia and the risk of malaria in Ghanaian pre-school children with haemoglobinopathies and different ABO blood groups.

Methods: This study was a double-blind, randomly clustered trial conducted within six months among infants and young children aged 6 to 35 months in rural Ghana (775 clusters, n = 860).

Impact of IgG response to malaria-specific antigens and immunity against malaria in pre-school children in Ghana. A cluster randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Iron fortification and micronutrient initiatives, specifically, vitamin A, and zinc supplementation are the most cost-effective developmental strategies against malnutrition and health emergencies in pre-school children. Iron-deficiency among pre-school children have been documented, however, studies evaluating the impact of immunoglobulin G (IgG) isotype responses among iron-fortified pre-school children in malaria endemic communities has not been assessed. We evaluated the impact of iron fortification on the IgG responses to GLURP R0, GLURP R2 and MSP3 FVO malaria-specific antigens among pre-school children in malaria endemic areas.

Impact of iron fortification on anaemia and iron deficiency among pre-school children living in Rural Ghana.

Anaemia in young sub-Saharan African children may be due to the double burden of malaria and iron deficiency. Primary analysis of a double-blind, cluster randomized trial of iron containing micronutrient powder supplementation in Ghanaian children aged 6 to 35 months found no difference in malaria risk between intervention and placebo groups. Here, we performed a secondary analysis of the trial data to assess the impact of long-term prophylactic iron fortificant on the risk of iron deficiency and anaemia in trial subjects.

Assessing the performance of only HRP2 and HRP2 with pLDH based rapid diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of malaria in middle Ghana, Africa.

Background: Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits have been useful tools to screen for the presence of infection with malaria parasites. Despite the improvement, false results from RDTs present a greater challenge. The need for quality test kits is desirable.

Vitamin A status and body pool size of infants before and after consuming fortified home-based complementary foods.

Background: Home fortification using sachets of micronutrient powder (e.g. "Sprinkles") is a food-based approach offering an alternative to high dose vitamin A (VA) supplements for infants.

Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of CareStart G6PD deficiency Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) in a malaria endemic area in Ghana, Africa.

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most widespread enzyme defect that can result in red cell breakdown under oxidative stress when exposed to certain medicines including antimalarials. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of CareStart G6PD deficiency Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) as a point-of-care tool for screening G6PD deficiency.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 206 randomly selected and consented participants from a group with known G6PD deficiency status between February 2013 and June 2013.