BACKGROUND: Feeding practices over the first several years of a childs life can critically influence development. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between feeding practices and growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 36 months of age among children from low- and low-middle-income countries (LMIC). METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis using data collected from children in India, Pakistan, and Zambia who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a home-based early development intervention program called Brain Research to Ameliorate Impaired Neurodevelopment Home-based Intervention Trial. Qualitative dietary data collected at 36 months was used to assess the modified Minimum Acceptable Diet (mMAD), a measure based on a core indicator developed by the World Health Organization to measure whether young children receive the minimum number of meals recommended and adequate diversity of major food groups in their diet. Regression models were used to assess cross-sectional associations between diet and growth indices, including Z-scores for height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ), weight-for-height (WHZ), head circumference (HCZ), and Bayley Scales of Infant Development II mental and psychomotor developmental measures at 36 months of age. RESULTS: Of 371 children, 174 (47%) consumed the mMAD, with significantly higher mean adjusted WHZ than those who did not meet mMAD (0.20 vs - 0.08, p = 0.05). Egg consumption was found to be significantly associated with a decreased risk of wasting [adjusted RR (95% CI): 0.37 (0.15, 0.89), p = 0.03]. HCZ at 36 months did not differ significantly for children who did and did not receive the mMAD. CONCLUSION: Meeting the mMAD was associated with better weight-for-height outcomes at 36 months in children in these three LMIC, highlighting the importance of adequate food quantity and quality. TRIAL REGISTRATION: registered on March 20, 2008.

Feeding practices over the first several years of a child's life can critically influence development. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between feeding practices and growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 36 months of age among children from low- and low-middle-income countries (LMIC). We conducted a secondary analysis using data collected from children in India, Pakistan, and Zambia who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a home-based early development intervention program called Brain Research to Ameliorate Impaired Neurodevelopment Home-based Intervention Trial. Qualitative dietary data collected at 36 months was used to assess the modified Minimum Acceptable Diet (mMAD), a measure based on a core indicator developed by the World Health Organization to measure whether young children receive the minimum number of meals recommended and adequate diversity of major food groups in their diet. Regression models were used to assess cross-sectional associations between diet and growth indices, including Z-scores for height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ), weight-for-height (WHZ), head circumference (HCZ), and Bayley Scales of Infant Development II mental and psychomotor developmental measures at 36 months of age. Of 371 children, 174 (47%) consumed the mMAD, with significantly higher mean adjusted WHZ than those who did not meet mMAD (0.20 vs - 0.08, p = 0.05). Egg consumption was found to be significantly associated with a decreased risk of wasting [adjusted RR (95% CI): 0.37 (0.15, 0.89), p = 0.03]. HCZ at 36 months did not differ significantly for children who did and did not receive the mMAD. Meeting the mMAD was associated with better weight-for-height outcomes at 36 months in children in these three LMIC, highlighting the importance of adequate food quantity and quality. registered on March 20, 2008.

Introduction: Optimal human milk (HM) B-vitamin concentrations remain undefined, especially in areas where undernutrition is prevalent. The impact of supplementation pre-conception through pregnancy on HM B-vitamin composition remains unknown. Methods: Human milk (HM) was collected at 2-weeks postpartum from 200 women in Guatemala, India, and Pakistan (the Women First Trial). The women were randomized to start a lipid-based nutrient supplement before conception, at end of the first trimester, or not at all; intervention continued until delivery. HM concentrations of eight B-vitamins and choline were assessed via ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Maternal diet was assessed in early pregnancy, and infant growth followed through 6 months post-delivery. Results: Despite supplement exposure averaging 15.7 (pre-conception arm) and 6.0 months (prenatal arm), HM B-vitamins did not differ between arms, but site differences were evident. Guatemala had higher HM concentrations of vitamin B3 than Pakistan and India. Pakistan had higher HM concentrations of thiamin and vitamin B6 than India and Guatemala. Cohort average HM vitamin B2 (162 ± 79 μg/L) and B6 (31.8 ± 24.6 μg/L) fell below values defined as deficient in 81.5 and 85.5% of samples, potentially reflecting sampling procedures and timing. Maternal dietary intakes of only vitamin B6 and choline were associated with the corresponding concentrations in HM (p < 0.005). No HM B-vitamin concentrations were associated with infant growth. Conclusion: Prenatal supplementation for at least 6 months had no impact on HM B-vitamin concentrations at 2-weeks postpartum. Results suggest that the adequacy of HM composition was generally maintained, with potential exceptions of vitamin B2 and B6.