Lactoferrin as treatment for iron-deficiency anemia in children: a systematic review.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effect of lactoferrin (Lf) on children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), comparing its efficacy and safety to iron-only or placebo supplementation.
Results Summary
The study found that lactoferrin, alone or combined with elemental iron, increased serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels more effectively than iron-only or placebo. Adverse effects like constipation were significantly reduced in Lf-treated groups.
Population
Children under five with iron deficiency anemia.
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
Not specified in the abstract.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
lactoferrin (Lf) | increase | serum ferritin (SF) | children with IDA | - | were found to be increased | #1 |
lactoferrin (Lf) | increase | hemoglobin (Hb) | children with IDA | - | were found to be increased | #2 |
a combination of Lf and elemental iron | increase | serum ferritin (SF) | children with IDA | - | were found to be increased | #3 |
a combination of Lf and elemental iron | increase | hemoglobin (Hb) | children with IDA | - | were found to be increased | #4 |
Lf | decrease | constipation | Lf-treated groups | - | a significant decrease | #5 |
BACKGROUND: Anemia is a common nutritional problem in children, especially those under five. Lactoferrin (Lf) as a supplement in treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has been studied, but its results in children have not been reviewed. This review aims to evaluate the effect of lactoferrin on children with IDA. METHODS: PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO and Ovid databases were searched using a variation of keywords: lactoferrin, anemia, and children. The literature selected must be clinical trial-based in design. The years of the studies published were limited to 2012 and 2022. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included in the final systematic review, consisting of 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 1 non-randomized trial. Serum ferritin (SF) and hemoglobin (Hb) were found to be increased in groups treated with Lf or a combination of Lf and elemental iron compared to iron only or placebo supplementation. Adverse events such as constipation, vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain were found; particularly, a significant decrease in constipation is seen in Lf-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports Lf as a superior treatment for IDA in children regarding the improvement in hematological and iron indices and fewer adverse effects.