Integrating nutrition and early child-development interventions among infants and preschoolers in rural India.
Ann N Y Acad Sci
; 1308: 218-231, 2014 Jan.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24673168
ABSTRACT
This article describes the development, design, and implementation of an integrated randomized double-masked placebo-controlled trial (Project Grow Smart) that examines how home/preschool fortification with multiple micronutrient powder (MNP) combined with an early child-development intervention affects child development, growth, and micronutrient status among infants and preschoolers in rural India. The 1-year trial has an infant phase (enrollment age 6-12 months) and a preschool phase (enrollment age 36-48 months). Infants are individually randomized into one of four groups placebo, placebo plus early learning, MNP alone, and MNP plus early learning (integrated intervention), conducted through home visits. The preschool phase is a cluster-randomized trial conducted in Anganwadi centers (AWCs), government-run preschools sponsored by the Integrated Child Development System of India. AWCs are randomized into MNP or placebo, with the MNP or placebo mixed into the children's food. The evaluation examines whether the effects of the MNP intervention vary by the quality of the early learning opportunities and communication within the AWCs. Study outcomes include child development, growth, and micronutrient status. Lessons learned during the development, design, and implementation of the integrated trial can be used to guide large-scale policy and programs designed to promote the developmental, educational, and economic potential of children in developing countries.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Child Development
/
Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
/
Early Intervention, Educational
/
Early Medical Intervention
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
Aspects:
Patient_preference
Limits:
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Ann N Y Acad Sci
Year:
2014
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
India