Data collection and measures
wasting
WASTING
At baseline, trained field workers collected information of the infant and mother via a questionnaire. Child information included birthweight, type and timing of breastfeeding initiation and whether the child was born at a health centre. Maternal information collected included age, education level, number of previous pregnancies, number of prenatal care visits, region of residence and pregnancy type (single vs multiple). The vital status of each infant enrolled was assessed by field workers at 28, 90 and 180 days after enrolment. Anthropometric measurements were made at baseline and at 6 months, and included weight in kilograms (kg), length in centimetres (cm) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). Weight was measured using a digital scale that was standardized each morning before measurement. Length was measured using a Shorrboard to the nearest cm. At both visits, three consecutive measurements for length were taken and the median was used for analysis. MUAC was measured using a standard MUAC tape. Birthweight data were extracted from government-issued health cards of babies enrolled in the trial.For this analysis, maternal age was dichotomized as adolescent (13 to <20 years) and adult (20–40 years). We excluded babies born to mothers for whom maternal age was missing (Outcomes at enrolment/birth included birthweight (in g), weight (in kg), length (in cm), MUAC (in cm), Length-for-Age Z Score (LAZ), Weight-for-Age Z Score (WAZ) and Weight-for-Length Z Score (WLZ), which are measures of stunting (LAZ < –2 SDs), underweight (WAZ < –2 SDs) and wasting (WLZ < –2 SDs), respectively. All outcomes mentioned above except birthweight were also measured and analysed at 6 months as growth outcomes, i.e. as change from enrolment to 6 months of age. All-cause mortality was determined based on the vital status assessment at 180 days.