Efficacy Study of the Consumption of Iron Fortified Milk on the Iron Nutritional Status of Children in Morocco
Imane E. L. Menchawy *
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Elom Kouassivi Aglago
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Mehdi Azlaf
Ministry of Education, Rabat, Morocco.
Kaoutar Benjeddou
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Fatima-Ezzahra Zahrou
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Imane E. L. Harchaoui
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Asmaa E. L. Hamdouchi
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Khalid E. L. Kari
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Hakim Belghiti
Hopital d'Instruction Militaire Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco.
E. L. Arbi Rjimati
Ministry of Health, Rabat, Morocco.
Noureddine E. L. Haloui
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Hassan Aguenaou
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objectives: Iron deficiency constitutes a major public health problem in Morocco. In line with the National Strategy for Nutrition 2011 – 2019, we undertook a double-blinded longitudinal efficacy study of consumption of iron fortified milk on iron status of children living in rural region at high altitude
Methods: Children (n = 380), aged 7 to 9 years, living under normal conditions and without preliminary deworming, were divided in two groups: a non fortified group (NFG) received 200 ml of non fortified UHT milk and a fortified group (FG) received 200ml UHT milk fortified with iron sulfate to cover 30% of RDA.
Clinical assessment, anthropometry, morbidity, alimentary and socioeconomic surveys, blood samples collection and cognitive tests (Raven test) were performed at baseline (T0), 4 months (T4) and 9 months (T9). Hemoglobin was estimated in situ by Hemocue device, ferritine and CRP were assessed in serum.
Results: The prevalence of anemia (Hb<11,5 g/dl), for the FG was 2,6% at baseline and 0% at T9. For the NFG, it was 3,4% at baseline and 1,8% at T9. At T9 FG showed a reduction of iron deficiency (serum ferritine<12 µg/L) from 50% to 36,4%. Cognitive tests showed no significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusions: The milk is a good vehicle for iron fortification, there was a reduction of Iron Deficiency in FG and no change in NFG.
This study was performed with the support of “Fondation Centrale Laitière pour la nutrition de l’enfant”.
Keywords: Iron deficiency, fortification, schoolage children, high altitude, cognitive.