Fortified Milks Help Reduce Infant Morbidity

Effects Of Fortified Milk On Morbidity In Young Children In North India: Community based, randomized, double masked placebo controlled trial

A November 2006 study published in the British Medical Journal indicates that fortified milks that contain immune-specific minerals and vitamins, such as follow-on formulas, growing up milks or toddler milks, may significantly reduce childhood morbidity in developing countries.  Researchers examined the effect of fortified milk on the incidence of childhood illness and death due to lower respiratory tract infection (pneumonia), chronic or acute gastro-enteritis (diarrhea), and severe illness and high fever.  Deficiencies in immunity-enhancing vitamins and minerals are widespread among children in developing countries.  Fortified milks, which are commonly used internationally, are usually fed to young children, over 1 year of age, to improve their diets and assure nutritional adequacy.  This recent study evaluated children between 1 and 3 years of age. The milk, fortified with zinc, iron, selenium, copper, and vitamins A, C and E reduced the incidence, as well as the number of days with severe illness.  Further, the findings support the growing consensus that vulnerable groups, including preschool children, should be given additional zinc and iron.  Using fortified milk (and other fortified complementary foods) is likely to be the preferred delivery route of these two nutrients in the preschool age population. 

Sazawal S et al. Effects of fortified milk on morbidity in young children in north India: community based, randomized, double masked placebo controlled trial. BMJ  2007;334:140, doi:10.1136/bmj.39035.482396.55.
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/search?fulltext=fortified+milk+on+morbidity&x=21&y=4