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Iron DeficiencyNCT02233764

Effect of Iron/Zinc-Biofortified Pearl Millet on Growth and Immunity in Children Aged 12-18 Months in India

A study testing FeZnPM and CtrlPM in people with Iron Deficiency and Zinc Deficiency, run by Cornell University at 3 sites in India.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

In this study, iron- and zinc-biofortified pearl millet will be fed to young children in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India over a period of nine months to measure iron status, growth and immune function in comparison to children receiving non-biofortified pearl millet. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 12 to 18 months
Conditions the study is for
Iron Deficiency, Zinc Deficiency
What is being tested?
FeZnPM and CtrlPM
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
223 participants
Where
3 sitesIndia
Study dates
8 May 2017to 16 Jul 2018
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 12 to 18 months
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Age 12 months, 0 days to 18 months, 30 days (at time of screening/baseline visit)
  • Hemoglobin ≥9 g/dL

Who cannot join

  • Age less than 12 months, 0 days or older than 18 months, 30 days (at time of screening/baseline visit)
  • Hemoglobin < 9 g/dL and/or hemoglobinopathy
  • Presence of severe malnutrition according to Wellcome Classification (marasmus, marasmic kwashiorkor, kwashiorkor, weight-for-height z-score < -3)
  • Prior diagnoses of HIV/AIDS or Tuberculosis, or Current diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, malaria, Dengue fever, Tuberculosis requiring >1 day hospitalization
  • Children who do not have a caretaker to bring him/her to feeding center
  • Possibility of migrating out of the slum dwelling for longer than 4 weeks
  • Prior or current consumption of iron or zinc supplements in the past 1 year
  • Any known dietary allergies

Trial locations and contacts

3 sites in 1 country.

India3 sites
  • St. John's Research Institute

    Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560 034

  • Centre for the Study of Social Change-Mumbai

    Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400 051

  • S.N.D.T. Women's University

    Mumbai, 400049

Other trials in India

About this study

Official title: Effect of Iron- and Zinc-Biofortified Pearl Millet (ICTP8203-Fe) Consumption on Growth and Immunity in Children Aged 12-18 Months in India

In this study, iron- and zinc-biofortified pearl millet will be fed to young children in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India over a period of nine months to measure iron status, growth and immune function in comparison to children receiving non-biofortified pearl millet.

Read the detailed description

Iron deficiency remains a major worldwide public health problem, especially in developing countries such as India. In this randomized study, 223 children aged 12-18 months from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India were fed either iron and zinc-biofortified pearl millet or control pearl millet three times per day, six days per week, for nine months. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of iron and zinc-biofortified millet on markers of iron status, growth, and immune function in this age group. The key outcome measures were biomarkers of iron status, physical growth, and immune function defined as response to measles vaccine. Concentrations of serum ferritin and hemoglobin as well as markers of immune function were assessed at enrollment (baseline), at an intermediate time point (midline; random serial sampling) and after 9 months of follow-up (endpoint). Additionally, we measured concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), as iron biomarkers can be influenced by inflammation. Growth was assessed monthly for 9 months and expressed as anthropometric Z-scores.

Being tested
FeZnPM, CtrlPM
Keywords
iron, zinc, pearl millet, India, children, trial, randomized
Medical subject headings
Iron Deficiencies

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • FeZnPMOther

    Also called biofortified pearl millet, bajra, ICTP8203-Fe

    Iron and zinc biofortified pearl millet will be consumed three times per day, six days per week, for 9 months. Children are anticipated to consume 25-30 grams of the pearl millet at each feeding. The pearl millet will be prepared using a variety of recipes such as porridges, breads, and biscuits.

  • CtrlPMOther

    Also called bajra, pearl millet

    Conventional pearl millet will be consumed three times per day, six days per week, for 9 months. Children are anticipated to consume 25-30 grams of the pearl millet at each feeding. The pearl millet will be prepared using a variety of recipes such as porridges, breads, and biscuits.

Study groups in NCT02233764
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
FeZnPMExperimentalThe FeZnPM arm will consume iron- and zinc-biofortified pearl millet (ICTP8203-Fe).
Receives: Other: FeZnPM
CtrlPMActive comparatorThe CtrlPM arm will consume conventional pearl millet three times per day, six days per week, for 9 months. Children are anticipated to consume 25-30 grams of the pearl millet at each feeding. The pearl millet will be prepared using a variety of recipes such as porridges, breads, and biscuits.
Receives: Other: CtrlPM

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Hemoglobin (g/dL)

    As determined by hemoglobin concentration

    Measured: Last Visit (last visit participant was observed for follow-up, between 2 and 9 months after baseline)

  2. Hemoglobin (g/dL)

    As determined by hemoglobin concentration

    Measured: Change between baseline and last visit (last visit participant was observed for follow-up, between 2 and 9 months after baseline)

  3. Iron Status

    Determined by serum ferritin

    Measured: Change between baseline and last visit (last visit participant was observed for follow-up, between 2 and 9 months after baseline)

  4. Iron Status

    Determined by serum ferritin

    Measured: Last Visit (last visit participant was observed for follow-up, between 2 and 9 months after baseline)

  5. Iron Status BRINDA Adjusted

    Determined by serum ferritin BRINDA adjusted

    Measured: Last Visit (last visit participant was observed for follow-up, between 2 and 9 months after baseline)

  6. Iron Status BRINDA Adjusted

    Serum ferritin BRINDA adjusted

    Measured: Change between baseline and last visit (last visit participant was observed for follow-up, between 2 and 9 months after baseline)

  7. Physical Growth

    Full scale name: Length-for-age Z-score (child's recumbent length as compared to their age).

    Meaning of the Z-score central value: 0 represents the population median as indicated by the WHO Growth Standards.

    Standard deviations below the median represent a worse outcome. A Z-score ≤ -2 indicates stunting.

    Measured: Last Visit (last visit participant was observed for follow-up, between 2 and 9 months after baseline)

  8. Physical Growth

    Full scale name: Length-for-age Z-score (child's recumbent length as compared to their age).

    Meaning of the Z-score central value: 0 represents the population median as indicated by the WHO Growth Standards.

    Standard deviations below the median represent a worse outcome. A Z-score ≤ -2 indicates stunting.

    Measured: Change between baseline and last visit (last visit participant was observed for follow-up, between 2 and 9 months after baseline)

  9. Physical Growth

    Full scale name: Weight-for-age Z-score (child's body weight as compared to their age).

    Meaning of the Z-score central value: 0 represents the population median as indicated by the WHO Growth Standards.

    Standard deviations below the median represent a worse outcome. A Z-score ≤ -2 indicates underweight.

    Measured: Last Visit (last visit participant was observed for follow-up, between 2 and 9 months after baseline)

  10. Physical Growth

    Full scale name: Weight-for-age Z-score (child's body weight as compared to their age).

    Meaning of the Z-score central value: 0 represents the population median as indicated by the WHO Growth Standards.

    Standard deviations below the median represent a worse outcome. A Z-score ≤ -2 indicates underweight.

    Measured: Change between baseline and last visit (last visit participant was observed for follow-up, between 2 and 9 months after baseline)

  11. Immune Function

    Immune responses primarily defined as protective anti-measles IgG titers (>16.5 AU/mL).

    Measured: Last Visit (last visit participant was observed for follow-up, between 2 and 9 months after baseline)

  12. Immune Function

    Immune responses primarily defined as response to measles vaccine

    Measured: Change between baseline and last visit (last visit participant was observed for follow-up, between 2 and 9 months after baseline)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted8 Sep 2014 (estimated)
  2. Study start8 May 2017
  3. Primary completion16 Jul 2018
  4. Study completion16 Jul 2018

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
223 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02233764
Sponsor's protocol ID
IRB #: 1403004556
Status last verified
Feb 2026
First submitted
4 Sep 2014
Last updated
9 Mar 2026
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Mehta S, Finkelstein JL, Venkatramanan S, Huey SL, Udipi SA, Ghugre P, Ruth C, Canfield RL, Kurpad AV, Potdar RD, Haas JD. Effect of iron and zinc-biofortified pearl millet consumption on growth and immune competence in children aged 12-18 months in India: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2017 Nov 14;7(11):e017631. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017631.

    PubMed 29138201
  • Mehta S, Huey SL, Ghugre PS, Potdar RD, Venkatramanan S, Krisher JT, Ruth CJ, Chopra HV, Thorat A, Thakker V, Johnson L, Powis L, Raveendran Y, Haas JD, Finkelstein JL, Udipi SA; Project Sabal. A randomized trial of iron- and zinc-biofortified pearl millet-based complementary feeding in children aged 12 to 18 months living in urban slums. Clin Nutr. 2022 Apr;41(4):937-947. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2022.02.014. Epub 2022 Feb 24.

    PubMed 35299084
  • Huey SL, Cole NL, Pagani I, Gonzalez A, Finkelstein JL, Haas JD, Udipi SA, Ghugre P, Potdar RD, Knight R, Mehta S. Effect of a complementary feeding intervention based on iron- and zinc-biofortified pearl millet on the gut microbiota in 12-18-month-old children: a randomized trial. Nat Commun. 2026 Jul 30;17(1):9242. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-75674-6.

    PubMed 42669658
  • Mehta S, Huey SL, Ghugre PS, Potdar RD, Venkatramanan S, Krisher JT, Ruth CJ, Chopra HV, Thorat A, Thakker V, Johnson L, Powis L, Raveendran Y, Rajagopalan K, Haas JD, Finkelstein JL, Udipi SA; Project Sabal. A randomized trial of iron- and zinc-biofortified pearl millet-based complementary feeding in children aged 12-18 months living in urban slums. Clin Nutr. 2026 Apr;59:106517. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2025.11.002. Epub 2026 Feb 9.

    PubMed 41740296
  • Huey SL, Finkelstein JL, Venkatramanan S, Udipi SA, Ghugre P, Thakker V, Thorat A, Potdar RD, Chopra HV, Kurpad AV, Haas JD, Mehta S. Prevalence and Correlates of Undernutrition in Young Children Living in Urban Slums of Mumbai, India: A Cross Sectional Study. Front Public Health. 2019 Jul 12;7:191. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00191. eCollection 2019.

    PubMed 31355176
  • Huey SL, Venkatramanan S, Udipi SA, Finkelstein JL, Ghugre P, Haas JD, Thakker V, Thorat A, Salvi A, Kurpad AV, Mehta S. Acceptability of Iron- and Zinc-Biofortified Pearl Millet (Dhanashakti)-Based [corrected] Complementary Foods among Children in an Urban Slum of Mumbai, India. Front Nutr. 2017 Aug 25;4:39. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2017.00039. eCollection 2017.

    PubMed 28971097

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing FeZnPM and CtrlPM in people with Iron Deficiency and Zinc Deficiency, run by Cornell University at 3 sites in India.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 3 sites in India. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 9 Mar 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Hemoglobin (g/dL) (time frame: Last Visit (last visit participant was observed for follow-up, between 2 and 9 months after baseline)). The study lists 12 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02233764, which also lists 6 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Mar 2026.

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