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Daily multivitamins with iron to prevent anemia in infancy: a randomized clinical trial

P L Geltman1, A F Meyers, H Bauchner

  • 1Division of Community, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, MA, USA.

Clinical Pediatrics
|October 30, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Multivitamins with iron effectively prevent anemia in infants. Daily administration from 6 months reduced anemia prevalence by age 9 months, showing significant benefits for infant health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Iron deficiency (ID) and anemia are significant concerns in infancy.
  • Prophylaxis against ID and anemia is crucial for healthy infant development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the efficacy of multivitamins (MV) with iron in preventing ID and anemia in infants.
  • To compare the effects of MV with and without iron on anemia and ID prevalence.

Main Methods:

  • Double-blind, randomized trial involving 310 healthy, full-term infants.
  • Infants received daily oral MV with or without iron from 6 to 9 months of age.
  • Anemia and ID assessed at 9 months of age.

Main Results:

  • Anemia prevalence at 9 months was 11.1% in the iron group versus 21.7% in the noniron group (RR=0.5).
  • Iron deficiency without anemia showed no significant difference between groups (18.5% vs 14.4%, p=0.46).
  • Adherence to daily MV administration was considered in the analysis.

Conclusions:

  • Standard-dose multivitamins with iron, administered daily from 6 months, significantly reduce anemia prevalence in infants by 9 months of age.
  • MV with iron show promise as a prophylactic measure against infant anemia.
  • Further research may explore optimal iron supplementation strategies in infancy.

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