Efetividade da suplementação com micronutrientes em pó na prevenção da anemia em crianças menores de seis anos socialmente vulneráveis

Abstract

Children in poverty are at increased risk for developing specific micronutrient deficiencies, as they are exposed to multiple adversities. The direct addition of powdered micronutrients to foods to combat childhood anemia has been carried out since 2011 by the World Health Organization. Thus, the objective of this dissertation was to evaluate the effectiveness of the first sachets of powdered micronutrients produced nationally for the resumption of the supplementation cycles of the Strategy for Fortification of Infant Feeding with Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in Powder - NutriSUS in the prevention of anemia in socially vulnerable children under six enrolled in a Nutritional Recovery Center. For this, we developed a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate effects before and after supplementation. The intervention consisted of using a supplement containing 15 powdered micronutrients for 19 weeks in an educational environment. Biochemical and anthropometric assessments were carried out on the children, and a standardized questionnaire was applied to those responsible for them. Pearson's chi-square test, mixed ANOVA, Kaplan-Meier method and the time-dependent Cox regression model were used for the analyzes to build the multivariate regression model. After the intervention, 7 children (8.7%) were diagnosed with anemia, we observed that 33.8% of the families were in severe food insecurity, 92.5% were part of a less favored economic class (D-E), 88.8% part of a National Income Transfer Program. The groups did not differ in relation to side effects, biochemical and anthropometric data after supplementation, in addition, they also did not show differences according to the follow-up time for the incidence of anemia. Therefore, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups after supplementation. Thus, we conclude that specific strategies aimed at fighting anemia are not efficient when they act in isolation in populations in situations of great social vulnerability, requiring intersectoral public policies to face poverty and malnutrition.