Sprinkles multivitamin contains essential micronutrients

The micronutrients are in the form of a flavourless powder that may be added to food. It contains no sugar or preservatives and the South African formulation was developed primarily for children 6 - 24 months.

According to Riaan van Tonder, medical director at Nycomed South Africa, a recent study published in the "Journal of Nutrition" suggests that growth failure in early childhood should be viewed as a marker of a lack of nutrients at the cellular level that has systemic effects on growth and development in general including brain and neurological development. "Some studies have shown that toddlers with multiple nutritional deficiencies showed a decrease in IQ of between 10% and 12% by the time they reached their teens. This directly affects human capital and is shown in the impact on school performance and earning ability in adulthood," he continues.

One of the main benefits of the new formulation is compliance. It has no smell or taste and so reduces the angst often associated with getting children to take their multivitamins. According to van Tonder, a growing body of evidence shows that the period from conception to 24 months is vital to a child's long-term health. This formulation supports mothers to ensure that children get the micronutrients for optimal growth and development to give them the future they deserve.