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Effects of an iron supplementation trial on the Fe status of Thai schoolchildren
P Hathirat1, A Valyasevi, N J Kotchabhakdi
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Insights
This study found that iron supplements combined with albendazole significantly improved iron status in children. Even albendazole alone showed improvements in iron indicators.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Public Health Interventions
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Iron deficiency is a prevalent global health issue, particularly among school-aged children.
- Anthelminthic treatment is common in regions with high parasitic infection rates.
- Assessing combined interventions is crucial for optimizing child health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of iron supplementation combined with albendazole in improving iron status among children.
- To compare the effects of combined therapy versus albendazole alone and placebo.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized clinical trial involving 2268 children aged 9-11 years in Thailand.
- Participants received either iron (Fe) or placebo tablets alongside albendazole.
- Iron status was assessed using hemoglobin, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in iron status (hemoglobin, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation) were observed in the iron + albendazole group.
- Albendazole alone also led to significant improvements in iron indicators compared to placebo.
- The combined iron and albendazole treatment showed greater improvements than albendazole alone.
Conclusions:
- Combined iron supplementation and anthelminthic treatment is effective in enhancing iron status in children.
- Albendazole monotherapy also positively impacts iron status markers.
- Further research may explore optimal strategies for iron repletion in endemic areas.
Abstract:
A double-blind clinical trial was conducted among 9- to 11-year-old children in sixteen schools in the Chon Buri province of Thailand to assess the effects of an iron supplement combined with an anthelminthic agent (i.e. albendazole). In addition to the albendazole, Fe or placebo tablets were distributed to 2268 children enrolled in grades three to five without knowledge of the Fe status of the children. Criteria for case inclusion were: (a) absence of A E Bart's or haemoglobin (Hb) H disease, (b) absence of abnormal Hb EE, and (c) age, 108-144 months. The results showed a significant improvement in the Fe status of the children after 16 weeks of treatment. The increments were: Hb from 124 to 128 g/l, serum ferritin from 34.54 to 104.72 micrograms/l, transferrin saturation from 24.09 to 35.05%; free erythrocyte protoporphyrin decreased from 444.7 to 281.4 micrograms/l erythrocytes. These changes were significantly greater than in the control group that received only the anthelminthic agent. However, the administration of albendazole only also resulted in significant changes in the same Fe indicators.