Abstract Digest: Issue 3, September 2010

In a randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of a ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) versus a corn/soy-blend with oil and sugar, children in Niger with moderate acute malnutrition who received RUTF had a higher average weight gain and recovery rate, a shorter length of stay in the supplementary feeding program, and a lower proportion of transfers to the in-patient Therapeutic Feeding Centers.

Early breastfeeding difficulties are experienced by first-time mothers in Peru and may be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors

Although breastfeeding is nearly universal in Peru, early lactation problems such as sub-optimal infant suckling, delayed onset of full milk production, and excessive infant weight loss are not uncommon among first-time mothers. Risk factors for these difficulties include Caesarean-section delivery, newborn health status, low breastfeeding frequency on the first day postpartum, and maternal overweight.

Kangaroo mother care reduces neonatal mortality among preterm babies

Meta-analyses comparing Kangaroo mother care (KMC) with standard care showed that KMC substantially reduces mortality and morbidity due to preterm birth among infants born in hospitals in low- or middle-income settings.

Two food-assisted maternal and child health and nutrition programs in Haiti increased breastfeeding rates and reduced child stunting rates

Haitian children living in areas receiving food-assisted nutrition and health programs had higher breastfeeding and vaccination rates and lower rates of stunting compared to matched children from the Demographic and Health Survey. In settings where it is unethical or impractical to randomize participants to a control group, a matching-based methodology for evaluating the impact of interventions may be useful.

An educational intervention on complementary feeding practices in rural China improved caregiver behaviors and infant growth

In a cluster randomized controlled trial in rural China with an educational intervention focused on improving complementary feeding practices, infants in the intervention group were fed a greater variety of foods, consumed more vegetables and animal source foods, had more meals per day and gained more weight and length than infants in the control group.