Summary on Evidence on Interventions and Field Experiences

摘要

The second session of the workshop focused on the evidence to support interventions and programs that will help achieve the MDGs and other health benefits. Zulfiqar Bhutta presented a comprehensive review of potential interventions for women and children. Among the maternal interventions, iron supplementation in pregnancy was found to reduce anemia and low birthweight, but supplementation with a broader set of micronutrients has a greater effect, compared with iron and folic acid, on birthweight and the proportion of babies born small for gestational age (SGA). Provision of balanced protein-energy supplements in pregnancy for undernourished women also reduces the incidence of SGA. Among the interventions for children, counseling and support of mothers has resulted in substantial increases in exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life and in continued breastfeeding thereafter and in improved complementary feeding. Vitamin A and zinc supplements have been shown to reduce infectious disease morbidity and mortality in children.