Efficacy of iron supplementation on control of anemia among infants

ABSTRACT

A randomized, double blind study on 483 infants aged 5-7 months in Quevo district, Bacninh province was carried out for 6 months. The infants were randomly received one of two following syrups iron sulfate (10 mg of elemental iron/day) or placebo. By the end of the study, Hemoglobin, serum ferreting and transferring receptor value was significantly improved in iron supplemented group in comparison with placebo group. Hemoglobin value and its changes over the study period were significantly increased in both two groups but more significantly increased in iron supplemented group in comparison with the placebo group. This change was significantly higher among the initial anemic infants than the non-anemic ones. Tf-R is significantly higher than cut-off-point in 100% anemic and non-anemic. The study reflected that serum transferring receptor indicator is more sensitive and accurate for diagnosis of iron deficiency status than serum ferreting, in particularly among the initial anemic infants than the non-ademic ones. Tf-R is significantly higher than cut-off-point in 100% anemic and non-anemic children. The study reflected that serum transferring receptor indicator is more sensitive and accurate for diagnosis of iron deficiency status than serum ferreting, in particularly among infants. The result of this study can contribute to setting up the national plan for controlling iron deficiency anemia among Vietnamese children.