Participants
acute illness or injury, allergic reactions, oedema, ill
SEVERE ANEMIA, FOOD ALLERGY, ALLERGIC REACTION, OEDEMA
Infants born out of a singleton pregnancy, aged 6–9 months, residing within the catchment areas of St. Martins Rural Hospital in Malindi and the Lungwena Health Center were eligible to participate in the study. Children with conditions that might affect growth and development, such as, severe anemia (hemoglobin < 5 g/dL), mid-upper arm circumference < 12.5 cm, bipedal oedema, or acute illness or injury warranting hospital referral, were not eligible to participate. Those who were identified as too ill for the study, were referred to the hospital for medical care. History of food allergy or any allergic reactions during egg test feeding at enrollment were excluded from participation. Families who planned to leave the study area within the next six months were also excluded from study participation.