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The Anemia Control Program: Early Intervention

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Registration Number
NCT00998998
Lead Sponsor
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study was to determine if a home-based intervention to foster child development improved behavior and development in infants with IDA.

Detailed Description

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is associated with alterations in infant behavior and development that may not correct with iron therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine if a home-based intervention to foster child development improved behavior and development in infants with IDA. IDA and non-anemic infants were randomly assigned to a year of intervention or surveillance only. Infants were enrolled and began study participation at 6 or 12 months. All infants were treated with oral iron and visited weekly to record iron intake, feeding, and health (surveillance). For infants randomized to intervention, the weekly home visit included an hour-long program fostering child development by supporting the mother-infant relationship. Psychologists, unaware of iron status or intervention assignment, assessed cognitive, motor, and social-emotional development (Bayley Scales) at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the year.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
277
Inclusion Criteria
  • birth weight >= 3.0kg
  • singleton full-term birth
  • routine vaginal delivery
  • no major congenital anomalies
  • no major perinatal complications
  • no photo therapy
  • no hospitalization for longer than 5 days
  • no chronic illness
  • no iron therapy
  • from 1991-94, infants on >= 250 ml/day cow milk or formula
  • from 1994-96, infants could be on < 250 ml/day cow milk or formula
  • infants identified as anemic at 6 or 12 months and randomly selected nonanemic infants at 6 and 12 months
Exclusion Criteria
  • residence outside 4 contiguous working-class communities on outskirts of Santiago, Chile
  • another infant <12 months in household
  • infant in child care
  • illiterate or psychotic caregiver or no stable caregiver available to accompany the child for appointments.
  • until mid-1994, "exclusive" breastfeeding, defined as >250 mL/d cow milk or formula

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Infant behavior and development6, 12, and 18 months; or 12, 18, and 24 months
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Iron-deficiency anemia6, 12, and 18 months; or 12, 18 and 24 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA)

🇨🇱

Santiago, Chile

Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA)
🇨🇱Santiago, Chile

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