Study finds 27 percent drop in child mortality in low- and middle-income countries.
More than half of child deaths worldwide stem from preventable causes, such as adverse effects from malnutrition. A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Davis, finds that child mortality significantly drops when children receive nutritional supplements rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. It found that supplements may decrease mortality among children 6-24 months old by as much as 27 percent in low- and middle-income countries. The researchers published their findings in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Nutrient supplements typically consist of a mixture of a legume — peanut, lentil or chickpea paste — plus milk powder, oil and a full complement of the vitamins and minerals children need.
“Picture a tiny package of fortified peanut butter that only has 100 calories,” said Christine Stewart, an associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and interim director of the Institute for Global Nutrition. “It’s enough to spread on a single piece of bread or it can be mixed with other foods.” The packets are designed to be added to the child’s diet daily as they transition from breastfeeding to complementary foods or family foods.
Previous studies have examined how supplements given to young children improve growth, but this is the first to evaluate the impact of the supplements on childhood deaths.
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