Background: Provision of food supplements alone has not sufficed to combat child undernutrition. Spirulina is an ancient blue-green algae, with excellent nutrient properties.
Objective: To evaluate impact of Spirulina to combat malnutrition in a “mission mode” and a non-randomized study.
Methods: A ‘community-based mission’, was launched wherein, 30,716 malnourished children (6 months-6 years) were fed 1-2 grams of Spirulina for 180 days to supplement Home+ICDS food in threetaluks of Bellary district in Karnataka. Third party evaluation done with non-randomized four arm community intervention study, of 1003 children, with 1:1:1:1 allocation to 1 & 2 grams of Spirulina; multivitamin and ONLY food control.
Results: Weight for age z-score data a significant 44% reduction in malnutrition in mission data was validated by study data. With 47% and 68% reduction among children who received 1 and 2 grams of Spirulina, respectively, as compared to little change in two control groups (p<0.05).In 2 grams Spirulina arm, an increase in mean weight of 1.25 grams/kg/day (p<0.01); and maximum weight gain of 7.3 grams/kg/day, implies pre/probiotic effect of Spirulina, consistent with recent data on etio-pathogenesis of child undernutrition. A significant cognitive improvement; alleviation of iron and Vitamin A deficiency was noted.
Conclusion: This is largest pilot ‘mission’ using Spirulina for malnutrition conducted globally to our knowledge. Spirulina offers promising opportunity to ameliorate child undernutrition across the country as it is swift in effect, simple, without adverse effects, cost effective and easy to scale up, with an impact on the etio-pathogenesis of undernutrition.
