A new study from Vietnam indicates that multiple micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy “could be an important intervention to help reduce stunting rates in Vietnam.” The study was carried out over three districts in the Red River Delta of Vietnam. In one district women received standard iron-folic acid supplements, in the second, women received multiple-micronutrient supplements (MMNs), and in the third, women received gender training in addition to the MMNs. Surveys were carried out in each district immediately after the trial ended and findings showed that mean birthweight was higher in districts receiving MMNs. Later surveys, carried out at around 2 years after the trial (when children were approximately 2 years of age), showed that children whose mothers had received MMNs were taller and stunting rates were about 10% lower than in the district receiving iron-folic acid. At this point, only the abstract to the study has been released, but you can read it here and we will be sure to post the link to the full study when it is made available.

Trials and studies such as this one conducted in Vietnam are an important piece of Vitamin Angels’ work. They provide the evidence we need to support our multiple-micronutrient (multivitamin) projects abroad, giving us the assurance that work such as ours is making a measurable impact on the health and development of the children and mothers in need.

Some of the Vitamin Angels staff just returned from Guatemala, where we work with our in-country partner, Faith In Practice, to provide new and expecting mothers with MMNs in rural areas where health care is not readily available or affordable. You can help us reach mothers and children with MMNs in Guatemala and around the world by giving here. And don’t forget to check out our other blog posts from the trip!