OBJECTIVES: to describe the use of vitamin and or minerals supplements in children from birth to six months of age, as well as to assess the association between supplements use and social, economic, biological features, nutrition standards and healthcare. METHODS: the study comprised a sub-sample of 399 children in a cohort study performed in the interior of Pernambuco. RESULTS: the proportion of children receiving vitamin and/or minerals supplements was of 18.8%. The use of these supplements increased with the child's age, OR=4.38 with 17 weeks and OR=9.82 with 26 weeks of age when compared with four weeks old infants. The increased use of supplements was determined in children of low income families and among the ones not sharing the home with other children under five years old. Twenty five year old or older mothers used more supplements than younger mothers. The average time for breastfeeding was associated to vitamins and/or minerals supplements use, being shorter among children using these supplements. CONCLUSIONS: the use of supplements as a means for vitamins and/or minerals offer in babies whose nutritional needs could be met through exclusive breastfeeding, was determined.
Dietary supplements; Child health (Public Health); Vitamins; Dietary minerals
