Systematic review of health sector and multisectoral interventions for the reduction of anemia in children under 5 years of age in Latin American countries

Morón-Arce A.L.; Palomino-Zevallos C.A.; Peralta-Medina A.N.; Morales R.A.L.; Vela-Ruiz J.M. · Archivos Latinoamericanos de Nutricion (2024) · DOI: 10.37527/2024.74.3.006

Resumen

Introduction: Anemia is a worldwide prevalence disease characterized by inefficiency of erythrocytes to distribute oxygen, whose main etiology is iron deficiency. There are worldwide known methods to combat it; however, Latin America has little evidence on the impact of these methods in reducing the prevalence of anemia. Objective: The present study reviewed health sector and multisectoral interventions for the reduction of anemia in children aged 6 months to 5 years in Latin America. Materials and methods: An exhaustive review of the literature was carried out with the child, anemia, Latin America, prevention and control in the Embase, Pubmed, La Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS) and Google scholar databases, the articles were filtered in 4 stages (identification, selection, eligibility and inclusion) individually by the authors, leaving 9 eligible randomized clinical trials. Results: From the trials, interventions such as micronutrient powder (MNP), Nutrisano food supplement, Nutrisano milk drink, syrups, iron pots and plant-fortified cookies were found. MNP, syrups and cookies with cowpea were found to reduce anemia significantly; however, for factors such as adherence and efficiency MNP and cookies are the most recommended. The use of Nutrisano milk drink + MNP and the use of iron pots did not significantly reduce anemia. Conclusions: In Latin America, MNP according to Neufeld are recommended to reduce anemia, and cookies fortified with cowpea according to Landim to increase hemoglobin. Arch Latinoam Nutr 2024; 74(3): 206-221.

Instituciones: Universidad Ricardo Palma