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China
Project Name:
Short-term daily or weekly administration of Micronutrient Sprinkles has high compliance and does not cause iron overload in Chinese school children: A cluster-randomized trial

Project Category:
Clinical research

Status of Project:
Status: Completed 2002

Implementing Organization:
National Institute for Nutrition and Food Safety, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China

Project Coverage:
415 children 3 to 6 years of age

Donor/Funding Agency:
Canadian Institutes of Health Research, HJ Heinz Foundation

Organizations Involved:
Organization: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Type of Organization: Government Ministry

Organization: University Health Network, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
Type of Organization: University
Project Description:
Using schools as a model for the supervised distribution of Sprinkles, we examined the use of Sprinkles given in the Kindergarten system in China. The study took place in Kindergartens in Northern China for a total of 13 weeks. Non-anemic children were given Sprinkles daily (5 days/week) or once weekly, or no supplements for the duration of the study. Adherence to Sprinkles and iron status were measured.
Project Objectives:
To examine iron status and adherence among children given Sprinkles daily or weekly.
Key Findings:
  • Adherence was similar in the daily (86%) and weekly groups (87%)
  • Daily administration of Sprinkles resulted in better iron status as compared to the group that did not receive Sprinkles. Weekly administration of Sprinkles did not result in a significant increase in iron status except in those that had low iron status at the beginning of the study.
  • There were no children who had elevated iron stores as a result of the administration of Sprinkles showing that they were safe.

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