Effect of multivitamin supplementation on the neurodevelopment of HIV-exposed Tanzanian infants: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Micronutrient deficiencies and in utero exposure to HIV may impair infant neurodevelopment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of daily multivitamin supplementation on the cognitive, language and motor development of HIV-exposed Tanzanian infants. METHODS: A total of 2387 infants were randomized to receive daily oral supplementation of multivitamins (B-complex, C and E) or placebo from age 6 weeks for 24 months. The cognitive, language and motor scales of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition, were administered to a subset of 206 infants at age 15 months. RESULTS: Multivitamin supplementation did not improve measures of cognitive development, expressive or receptive language or gross motor capabilities. There was a trend toward improved fine motor skills among infants randomized to the multivitamin group (difference in mean score = 0.38; 95% CI = -0.01, 0.78, p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Daily provision of multivitamins to HIV-exposed infants does not substantially improve developmental outcomes at age 15 months.