Decreased Parasite Load and Improved Cognitive Outcomes Caused by Deworming and Consumption of Multi-Micronutrient Fortified Biscuits in Rural Vietnamese Schoolchildren

Tran T. Nga Department of Micronutrient Research and Application, National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam; Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand; Department of Human Nutrition, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; Unite Medicale de Recherche 204 Prevention des Malnutritions, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France

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Pattanee Winichagoon Department of Micronutrient Research and Application, National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam; Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand; Department of Human Nutrition, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; Unite Medicale de Recherche 204 Prevention des Malnutritions, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France

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Marjoleine A. Dijkhuizen Department of Micronutrient Research and Application, National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam; Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand; Department of Human Nutrition, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; Unite Medicale de Recherche 204 Prevention des Malnutritions, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France

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Nguyen C. Khan Department of Micronutrient Research and Application, National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam; Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand; Department of Human Nutrition, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; Unite Medicale de Recherche 204 Prevention des Malnutritions, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France

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Emorn Wasantwisut Department of Micronutrient Research and Application, National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam; Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand; Department of Human Nutrition, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; Unite Medicale de Recherche 204 Prevention des Malnutritions, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France

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Frank T. Wieringa Department of Micronutrient Research and Application, National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam; Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand; Department of Human Nutrition, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; Unite Medicale de Recherche 204 Prevention des Malnutritions, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France

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Micronutrient deficiencies are associated with impaired growth and cognitive function. A school-based fortification program might benefit schoolchildren but a high prevalence of parasite infestation might affect effectiveness. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 2 × 2 factorial trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of multi-micronutrient fortified biscuits with or without de-worming on growth, cognitive function, and parasite load in Vietnamese schoolchildren. Schoolchildren (n = 510), 6–8 years of age were randomly allocated to receive albendazole or placebo at baseline and four months of multi-micronutrient fortified biscuits (FB) or non-fortified biscuits. Children receiving FB for four months scored higher on two cognitive tests: Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices and the Digit Span Forward test. Children receiving albendazole plus FB had the lowest parasite load after four months. In children receiving FB, mid-upper arm circumference was slightly improved (+0.082 cm) but there were no differences in other indexes of anthropometry. Combining multi-micronutrient fortified biscuits with de-worming is an effective strategy.

Author Notes

*Address correspondence to Frank T. Wieringa, Unite Medicale Researche 204 Prevention des Malnutritions, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, BP 64501, Cedex 5, Montpellier 34394, France. E-mail: franck.wieringa@ird.fr

Financial support: This study was supported by the Neys-van Hoogstraten Foundation, The Netherlands, and the Ellison Medical Foundation.

Disclosure: None of the authors had any conflicts of interest.

Authors' addresses: Tran T. Nga and Nguyen C. Khan, Department of Micronutrient Research and Application, National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam, E-mails: thuynga672000@yahoo.co.uk and nguyencongkhan@vfa.gov.vn. Pattanee Winichagoon and Emorn Wasantwisut, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, E-mails: nupwn@mahidol.ac.th and numdk@mahidol.ac.th. Marjoleine A. Dijkhuizen, Department of Human Nutrition, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark, E-mail: madijkhuizen@gmail.com. Frank T. Wieringa, Unite Medicale Researche, 204 Prevention des Malnutritions, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France, E-mail: franck.wieringa@ird.fr.

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