Effect of maternal supplementation on nutritional status of children at aged 24 month in West Sumatra Province: A prospective cohort trial

Abstract

Background and Objectives

Dadih is an Indonesian traditional fermented buffalo milk produced and consumed by the West Sumatran Minangkabau ethnic group with its nutritional composition and lactic acid bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria of dadih have the potential to provide benefits to children's growth and development. The objective of this study is to follow up the effect of Dadih and Zinc given to pregnant mothers for 6 months on nutritional status, childrens' growth at aged 6–24 months.

Methods

A prospective cohort trial was conducted in two districts on 138 pregnant mothers for 6 months, randomly assigned into three groups, namely Control, Dadih, and combination of Dadih and Zinc groups. Then, the combination of Dadih and Zinc groups was supplemented to expecting mothers, respectively, six times a week during 6 months intervention study. Anthropometric measurement of children was assessed on birth, 6, 9, 24 months.

Results

The mothers of those children were supplemented with Dadih, Dadih and Zinc, and normal diet, respectively, during pregnancy. There is an effect of giving dadih, dadih and zinc interventions with controls on pregnancy outcomes, namely head circumference variables (P = 0.02) and underweight variables at 9 months follow-up (P = 0.049).

Conclusions

Dadih and Zinc are potential for improving nutritional status of the children. In addition, the two types of supplementations are recommended to pregnant mothers, in order to reduce the prevalence of stunting.