Prevention and Treatment of Anemia in Infants through Supplementation, Assessing the Effectiveness of Using Iron Once or Twice Weekly.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of once weekly versus twice weekly iron supplementation on hemoglobin levels and anemia prevalence in infants.
Results Summary
Both once and twice weekly iron supplementation increased mean hemoglobin levels, but twice weekly supplementation showed more significant improvements in hemoglobin concentration and greater reduction in anemia prevalence.
Population
Infants aged 6-18 months.
Effective Dosage
25 mg elemental iron once weekly (Group-A) or twice weekly (Group-B).
Duration
16 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
once weekly iron supplementation (IS) | increase | mean Hb concentration | infants aged 6-18 months | from 10.8 ± 1.18 g/dl to 11.2 ± 1.07 g/dl | increased | #1 |
once weekly iron supplementation (IS) | no change | anemia prevalence | infants aged 6-18 months | from 52.5% to 37.5% | no significant change | #2 |
twice weekly iron supplementation (IS) | increase | mean Hb concentration | infants aged 6-18 months | from 10.7 ± 1.04 g/dl to 11.3 ± 0.91 g/dl | increased | #3 |
twice weekly iron supplementation (IS) | decrease | anemia prevalence | infants aged 6-18 months | from 57.9% to 36.8% | reduced | #4 |
twice weekly iron supplementation (IS) | increase | mean Hb concentration | infants aged 6-18 months | - | provided more significant results | #5 |
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to compare the effect of once weekly iron supplementation (IS) versus twice weekly, on hemoglobin (Hb) levels and anemia prevalence. METHODS: In this cluster-randomized clinical trial study, we evaluated infants aged 6-18 months. Length of intervention: 16 weeks. Infants were cluster randomized to either 25 mg elemental iron once weekly (Group-A) or twice weekly (Group-B). Primary outcome variables were change in Hb concentration and anemia prevalence. Two biochemical evaluations were performed to determine Hb concentrations, before and after intervention. RESULTS: For Group-A, at baseline, mean Hb concentration was 10.8 ± 1.18 g/dl and after intervention 11.2 ± 1.07 g/dl,p = 0.12; anemia prevalence was 52.5% at baseline and 37.5% after intervention,p = 0.18; Group-B, mean baseline Hb was 10.7 ± 1.04 g/dl, and 11.3 ± 0.91 g/dl after intervention,p = 0.002; anemia prevalence reduced from 57.9 to 36.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Both once and twice weekly IS increased mean Hb concentration; however, twice weekly supplementation provided more significant results.