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Project Description:
Bolivia, a country of 8.3 million inhabitants, is one of the poorest countries in Latin America, with 64% falling below the
poverty line. Micronutrient deficiencies, especially iron and zinc are major nutritional problems in Bolivian children with levels
of iron deficiency anemia as high as 70%.
Using an uncontrolled, prospective 'before and after' cohort design, anemic children (age range 1-6 years) were entered into
a clinical trial to receive a daily sachet of Sprinkles (40 mg elemental iron) for a treatment period of two months. Children
were also given one dose of pyrantel pamoate, an anti-helminthic to treat parasite infection endemic to this population.
Project Objectives:
To screen and treat a pediatric population at-risk for iron deficiency anemia with Sprinkles.
Key Findings:
After 2 months of treatment, the prevalence of anemia fell significantly, from 35% to 9%.
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