All resident children were eligible for randomization when aged 6–59 months and with a height-for-age z-score in the range −3 SD to 1.5 SD. Children with haemoglobin concentration <70 g/L, signs of chronic illness, and those unlikely to remain permanently resident or comply with the supplementation for the duration of the trial, or whose parents or guardians declined consent, were excluded from the study. Venous blood samples were collected in EDTA tubes and centrifuged immediately. An aliquot of 90 μL erythrocyte sediment with the buffy coat was mixed with 90 μL phosphate-buffered saline and 180 μL of DNA stabilizing buffer (AS1; Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) and stored at 4°C for subsequent genotyping. Plasma samples were stored in liquid nitrogen in the field and at −80°C during transport and subsequent storage until biochemical analysis in The Netherlands. Haemoglobin concentration was measured in an aliquot of whole blood by a haematology analyser (Sysmex KX21, Kobe, Japan). Plasmodium infection was detected in fresh blood by rapid dipstick test (CareStart, Access Bio, Monmouth Jct, USA). Children with a positive test result were treated immediately with artemether-lumefantrine. The location of the child’s homestead was determined using a global positioning system. Further details about recruitment procedures are reported elsewhere [21 (link)].
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