Effect of biofortified bars with heme iron “Nutribarra Andina” in the prevention and control of anemia in children under 5 years in Chugay and Curgos, La Libertad, Peru. An observational studycross-sectional study

Background: A nutritional supplement has been developed based on Andean grains enriched with chicken blood called NUTRIBARRA ANDINA, but its effect on the control of anemia is not known. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of consuming NUTRIBARRA ANDINA to increase hemoglobin levels in children under 5 years of age in Chugay, La Libertad, Peru. Methods: The study was carried out in two groups of 48 children under 5 years of age, diagnosed with childhood anemia, a control group and the other experimental group that consumed NUTRIBARRA ANDINA, the hemoglobin level was determined at 30, 60 and 90 days after starting the consumption of this nutritional supplement, the information was statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's mean comparison test p<0.05. Results: No statistical differences were found for hemoglobin levels before starting the study between both groups, but they were different p<0.01 for hemoglobin levels at 30, 60 and 90 days after starting the study with hemoglobin levels average in the experimental group of 10.99 ± 0.28, 11.19 ± 0.30 and 11.48 ± 0.24 respectively and in the control group it was 9.82 ± 0.23, 10.29 ± 0.24 and 10.61 ± 0.21 respectively. In the experimental group differences were found among the level of hemoglobin at 30, 60 and 90 days with the initial level, but no differences were found between 30 and 60 and 60 and 90 days. At 90 days, 81.82% of the experimental group recovered from anemia and 14.58% in control group. Conclusions: The interday consumption of NUTRIBARRA ANDINA increased hemoglobin levels in the children of the experimental group, allowing 81.82% of them to overcome anemia 90 days after starting its consumption.