Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Effect of iron supplementation on incidence of infectious illness in children: systematic review
1Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Paediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi 110002, India.
Insights
Iron supplementation in children does not significantly increase overall infection rates. However, it may slightly elevate the risk of diarrhea, a finding with minimal public health impact.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Nutritional Science
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Iron deficiency is common in children globally.
- Iron supplementation is a standard intervention for iron deficiency anemia.
- Concerns exist regarding the potential impact of iron on infection risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on the incidence of infections in children.
- To synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials on iron and childhood infections.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 randomized controlled trials.
- Inclusion of 7892 children receiving oral or parenteral iron, or iron-fortified foods.
- Analysis of various infectious illnesses, including respiratory tract infections and diarrhea.
Main Results:
- Overall incidence of infectious illnesses was not significantly affected by iron supplementation (rate ratio 1.02, P=0.54).
- A slight increase in the risk of diarrhea was observed (rate ratio 1.11, P=0.04), but with limited public health significance.
- No significant impact on other infections or malaria prevalence was detected.
Conclusions:
- Iron supplementation appears safe regarding the overall incidence of infections in children.
- A minor increase in diarrhea risk warrants consideration but does not pose a major public health concern.
- Further research did not explain the observed statistical heterogeneity.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on the incidence of infections in children.
Design:
Systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
Data Sources:
28 randomised controlled trials (six unpublished and 22 published) on 7892 children.
Interventions:
Oral or parenteral iron supplementation or fortified formula milk or cereals.
Outcomes:
Incidence of all recorded infectious illnesses, and individual illnesses, including respiratory tract infection, diarrhoea, malaria, other infections, and prevalence of positive smear results for malaria.
Results:
The pooled estimate (random effects model) of the incidence rate ratio (iron v placebo) was 1.02 (95% confidence interval 0.96 to 1.08, P=0.54; P<0.0001 for heterogeneity). The incidence rate difference (iron minus placebo) for all recorded illnesses was 0.06 episodes/child year (-0.06 to 0.18, P=0.34; P<0.0001 for heterogeneity). However, there was an increase in the risk of developing diarrhoea (incidence rate ratio 1.11, 1.01 to 1.23, P=0.04), but this would not have an overall important on public health (incidence rate difference 0.05 episodes/child year, -0.03 to 0.13; P=0.21). The occurrence of other illnesses and positive results on malaria smears (adjusted for positive smears at baseline) were not significantly affected by iron administration. On meta-regression, the statistical heterogeneity could not be explained by the variables studied.
Conclusion:
Iron supplementation has no apparent harmful effect on the overall incidence of infectious illnesses in children, though it slightly increases the risk of developing diarrhoea.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
01:29Environmental Influences on Intelligence