Maternal and Child Anthropometric and Haematological Changes over 12 Months of Follow-Up in a Comprehensive Rehabilitation Programme in Madagascar

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess longitudinal changes in anthropometric and haematological indicators among young mothers and their children attending the Centre d’Accueil et de Soins Intégrés pour Femmes (CAIF), and to examine associations between maternal and child changes. Methods: This longitudinal observational study included 40 children (0–5 years) and 31 young mothers (14–25 years) attending CAIF in Toliara, Madagascar. Anthropometric indicators were assessed at baseline, midline, and endline over a 12-month period. In children, these included weight, height/length, weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-height (WHZ), and body mass index-for-age (BAZ) z-scores; in mothers, weight, BMI or BAZ z-scores were assessed. Haemoglobin concentrations were measured at baseline and endline only. Changes over time were analysed using repeated-measures analysis of variance, and maternal–child associations were examined using linear mixed-effects models. Results: Children showed significant gains in weight and height/length over the follow-up period. WAZ, WHZ, and BAZ increased significantly over follow-up, whereas HAZ showed a non-linear trajectory. The proportion of children with underweight decreased from 42.5% to 2.5%, and wasting from 27.5% to 0%. Stunting was present in 37.5% of children at baseline and 35.0% at endline. Among the 30 children aged ≥6 months at baseline eligible for anaemia classification, prevalence decreased from 86.7% to 70.0% at endline. Maternal weight, BMI, and haemoglobin also increased over follow-up. No statistically significant associations were found between changes in maternal and child indicators. Conclusions: Improvements were observed in several nutritional and haematological indicators during follow-up, while stunting and anaemia persisted and excess weight emerged in some children. However, these changes cannot be attributed specifically to the care provided at CAIF in the absence of a comparison group.