Giving Compass' Take:

• Amy Quinton reports that researchers found that nutrient supplements can reduce child mortality in low- and middle-income countries.  

• Can this information be used to create a scalable and sustainable solution for childhood malnutrition? 

• Learn about a high impact opportunity to improve global nutrition. 

When children receive nutritional supplements rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, mortality drops significantly, researchers report.

 

More than half of child deaths worldwide stem from preventable causes, such as adverse effects from malnutrition.

The new study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows that supplements may decrease mortality among children 6-24 months old by as much as 27% in low- and middle-income countries.

Nutrient supplements typically consist of a mixture of a legume—peanut, lentil, or chickpea paste—plus milk powder, oil, and a full complement of the vitamins and minerals children need.

Previous studies have examined how supplements given to young children improve growth, but researchers say this is the first to evaluate the impact of the supplements on childhood deaths.

Read the full article about nutritional supplements by Amy Quinton at Futurity.