Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

The Caco-2 Cell Bioassay for Measurement of Food Iron Bioavailability
06:34

The Caco-2 Cell Bioassay for Measurement of Food Iron Bioavailability

Published on: April 28, 2022

Iron-fortified rice is as efficacious as supplemental iron drops in infants and young children

Mark A Beinner1, Gustavo Velasquez-Meléndez, Milene C Pessoa

  • 1School of Nursing and Nutrition, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, 30130-100. mark@enf.ufmg.br

The Journal of Nutrition
|November 6, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Fortified rice effectively improved iron status in mildly anemic children in Brazil. Micronized ferric pyrophosphate rice boosted iron stores and reduced anemia, offering a viable alternative to iron drops.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health Nutrition
  • Micronutrient Fortification
  • Pediatric Anemia

Background:

  • Iron deficiency anemia is a significant public health issue in low- and middle-income countries, particularly affecting infants and young children.
  • Improving iron status in young children remains a challenge in regions like Brazil.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of rice fortified with micronized ferric pyrophosphate (MFP) in improving iron status among mildly anemic children aged 6-24 months.
  • To compare the effectiveness of MFP-fortified rice with standard iron drops for anemia treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A 5-month, double-blind, home-based randomized trial was conducted in Brazil with 175 mildly anemic children.
  • One group received MFP-fortified rice (Ultra Rice technology), while the control group received non-fortified rice and iron drops.
  • Serum ferritin (SF) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations were measured at baseline and after 5 months.

Main Results:

  • At baseline, 73.1% had iron deficiency and 100% had anemia.
  • After 5 months, both groups showed increased SF and Hb levels, with significantly greater improvements in the fortified rice group (P < 0.01).
  • Adults could not differentiate the taste, smell, or appearance of cooked fortified rice from unfortified rice.

Conclusions:

  • Home-based consumption of MFP-fortified rice effectively increased iron stores and reduced anemia in mildly anemic young children.
  • Fortifying rice with iron presents a promising strategy to improve iron status in populations where rice is a dietary staple for young children.
  • This approach may be as effective as providing iron drops, with potential for wider reach and better adherence.

More Related Videos

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes08:45

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes

Published on: May 10, 2022

A Point-of-Care Method with Integrated Decision Support Tool to Estimate Anemia at Population Level05:35

A Point-of-Care Method with Integrated Decision Support Tool to Estimate Anemia at Population Level

Published on: January 19, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Mineral, Vitamin and Water Absorption01:27

Mineral, Vitamin and Water Absorption

Electrolytes are essential minerals and ions primarily obtained from the diet and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Most electrolytes are absorbed in the small intestine. While the absorption of iron and calcium primarily occurs in the duodenum, calcium is also absorbed in the jejunum and ileum. In these regions, passive diffusion contributes to its absorption alongside active transport mechanisms in the duodenum. These ions can exit the enterocytes through specialized active...
Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview01:21

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...