| Abstrakt: |
Background: A double blind interventional study was conducted to find out the combined effects of antioxidants on morbidity status of preschool children in three selected Government Primary Schools in Dhaka city. Methods and Results: It showed the baseline serum levels of beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C and zinc for interventional group (n = 117) to be 5.11 meg, 307.69 meg, 0.16 mg and 0.52 mg respectively. And in control group (n = 104) the same was found to be 5.29 meg, 330.52 meg, 0.14 mg and 0.52 mg respectively. After the intervention with antioxidants in recommended doses for a period of six 6 months, the interventional group had serum levels for beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C and zinc as 22.64 meg, 938.27 meg, 0.96 mg and 1.11 mg (Paired t-test = 0.000) and control group had the same as 4.80 meg, 326.50 meg, 0.15 mg and 0.53 mg respectively. Baseline morbidity pattern in both interventional and control group was almost similar. But at the end of successful intervention the morbidity state in interventional group was found as; low appetite-105, cured-100; anaemia-81, cured-69; gum bleeding/hypertrophy-17, cured-14; wasting of subcutaneous fat-15, cured-13; fatigue-11, cured-10; (p-value < 0.0001). But in control children it was found as; low appetite-99, cured-8; anaemia-74, cured-15; gum bleeding/hypertrophy-25, cured-4; wasting of subcutaneous fat-10, cured-1; and fatigue-13, cured-2; and the changes were not significant. Conclusion: Fortification of staple foods with essential antioxidant micronutrients may be an important tool to improve the nutritional status of the children contributing to a healthy and productive nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
