Effect of consumption of roselle juice on haemoglobin concentration, appetite and vitamin c saturation in children aged below 24 months

Malnutrition rates of over 38% among children of age below 5 years have been addressed by interventions like growth promotion and monitoring. The study sought to further address poor nutritional status among children of age below 2 years by supplementing their diet with Roselle juice. Roselle calyx from which the juice was made contains high concentrations of vitamin C, iron and zinc which are highly deficient in diets of children in Magubike village. A randomised single blind design with one time dietary assessment was used in this study. Household characteristics, appetite and morbidity data of children were obtained. Anthropometric (weight and height) and biochemical indicators were determined. Children were supplemented with Roselle and placebo juice and followed up for four months. Results revealed that there was low energy, fat, zinc, vitamin C and high fibre content in the common complementary foods given to children. Consumption of Roselle juice significantly increased (p<0.05) vitamin C intake from 28 to 60% of RDA. The prevalence of underweight, a composite indicator of stunting and wasting was 9% among the children. Haemoglobin concentration increased (p<0.05) by 1 g dl -1 among children in the intervention group. The morbidity rate among children in the intervention group significantly decreased by 27% (P<0.05) from 81% to 54% after four months of supplementation. The concentration of vitamin C in urine for the children in the placebo and intervention group increased by 0.008 and 0.015 mg kg -1 respectively after four months of supplementation. The proportion of children in the intervention group with urine zinc concentration outside normal range increased by 4% compared to 14% in placebo group after 4 months of supplementation. Promoting consumption of Roselle juice is important in areas with high prevalence of anaemia.