Failure of twice-weekly iron supplementation to increase blood haemoglobin and serum ferritin concentrations: results of a randomized controlled trial

Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology
A OlsenH Friis

Abstract

In order to increase the intestinal absorption of iron whilst simultaneously minimising the side-effects and thus increasing compliance, once- or twice-weekly, instead of daily, iron supplementation has been widely recommended. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in western Kenya, a tablet of ferrous dextran (containing 60 mg elemental iron) or an identical-looking placebo tablet was provided twice-weekly for 12 months to each child or adult investigated. At baseline each subject had a moderately low blood concentration of haemoglobin (Hb). Initial Hb and serum ferritin (SF) concentrations were determined and each subject was tested for malarial and helminth infection and treated, if necessary, with the appropriate anthelminthic drug(s). Overall, 200 children (aged 4-15 years) and 129 adults (aged 16-63 years) completed the 12-month study. At baseline, 47.5% of the children and 58.1% of the adults were anaemic, hookworm (detected in 60.0% of the children and 69.9% of the adults) was the most common helminth infection, and malaria was endemic. The results of bivariate analyses indicated that twice-weekly iron supplementation had no significant effect on blood Hb or SF concentrations, either in the children or...Continue Reading

Citations

Feb 3, 2011·Journal of Tropical Pediatrics·Francisco Plácido Nogueira ArcanjoAlvaro Jorge Madeiro Leite
Nov 13, 2007·BJOG : an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·C V Nweneka
Feb 23, 2008·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·Sharon E CoxAndrew M Prentice
Dec 14, 2011·The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·Luz Maria De-RegilTherese Dowswell
Jan 31, 2019·The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·Ana C Fernández-Gaxiola, Luz Maria De-Regil
Jan 23, 2009·The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·Ifedayo Adetifa, Uduak Okomo
Feb 28, 2016·The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·Ami NeubergerMical Paul

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