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Improvements in growth following iron supplementation in young Kenyan school children
M C Latham1, L S Stephenson, S N Kinoti
1Program in International Nutrition, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853.
Insights
Oral iron supplements significantly improved growth and hemoglobin levels in Kenyan primary school children. This intervention is effective for children with iron deficiency anemia and undernutrition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Public Health Interventions
- Growth and Development Studies
Background:
- Iron deficiency anemia and undernutrition are prevalent issues affecting child development in many regions.
- Assessing the impact of micronutrient supplementation on growth is crucial for public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of oral iron supplementation in enhancing growth among primary school children in Kenya.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 55 primary school children from the two lowest grades.
- Participants were assigned to either an iron supplementation group (n=29) or a placebo group (n=26).
- Intervention was administered on school days over a 32-week period, with anthropometric and hemoglobin measurements taken at baseline and end-of-study.
Main Results:
- Iron-supplemented children demonstrated significantly greater improvements in weight, weight-for-height, arm circumference, and skinfold thickness compared to the placebo group.
- Hemoglobin levels showed a significant improvement in the iron-supplemented group.
- Baseline characteristics including age, sex, helminthic infections, anthropometry, and hemoglobin levels were comparable between groups.
Conclusions:
- Oral iron supplementation is an effective strategy for improving growth and hemoglobin levels in children suffering from iron deficiency anemia and undernutrition.
- The findings support the implementation of iron supplementation programs in areas with high prevalence of these conditions.
Abstract:
The study was conducted to determine whether provision of oral supplementary iron to primary school children in Kenya would improve their growth. Children in the two lowest grades who satisfied study criteria were allocated to either an iron-supplementation group (n = 29) or a placebo group (n = 26). At the baseline before intervention the groups did not differ significantly in age, sex ratio, prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminthic infections, most anthropometric measurements or hemoglobin levels. Although the study lasted for 32 weeks, children only took iron or placebos on school days thus omitting weekends and school holidays. Examination at the end of the study showed that the iron-supplemented children had grown significantly more in terms of weight, weight for height, arm circumference and skinfold thickness compared with the placebo group. Hemoglobin levels had also improved significantly. We conclude that where iron deficiency anemia and undernutrition are prevalent in children, iron supplementation will improve growth and hemoglobin levels.