Imdad Aamer, Bhutta Zulfiqar A
Division of Women's and Children's Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Nestle Nutr Inst Workshop Ser. 2012;70:61-73. doi: 10.1159/000337441. Epub 2012 Aug 31.
Deficiencies of multiple micronutrients are prevalent among women of reproductive age and young children, and represent a risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality in these women and children. The role of multiple micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy and early childhood has been evaluated in randomized trials. Multiple micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy has a positive effect on birthweight and reduces prevalence of low birthweight and small for gestational age babies. It had comparable effects on prevalence of anemia regarding iron-folate supplementation. Multiple micronutrient supplementations in children have been shown to improve linear growth, weight, hemoglobin, serum zinc, serum retinol levels and motor development. Some of the most commonly used strategies to deliver multiple micronutrients include powders (e.g. Sprinkles(®)), crushable tablets (e.g. Foodlets), etc. Multiple micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy and early childhood seems to be an effective way of prevention of micronutrient deficiencies and has a significant protective effect against adverse outcomes related to their deficiencies. Their use on a larger scale should be considered to improve the survival and decrease morbidity and mortality in children and women.
多种微量营养素缺乏在育龄妇女和幼儿中普遍存在，是这些妇女和儿童发病和死亡风险增加的一个因素。孕期和幼儿期补充多种微量营养素的作用已在随机试验中得到评估。孕期补充多种微量营养素对出生体重有积极影响，并降低低出生体重和小于胎龄儿的患病率。在贫血患病率方面，其与补充铁叶酸的效果相当。已证明儿童补充多种微量营养素可改善线性生长、体重、血红蛋白、血清锌、血清视黄醇水平和运动发育。一些最常用的提供多种微量营养素的策略包括粉剂（如“小撒”）、可压片（如“营养片”）等。孕期和幼儿期补充多种微量营养素似乎是预防微量营养素缺乏的有效方法，对与其缺乏相关的不良后果具有显著的保护作用。应考虑更广泛地使用它们，以提高儿童和妇女的生存率，并降低发病率和死亡率。
