Ascorbic acid effect on intestinal iron absorption in different types of anaemias

The study deals with investigations on anaemia due to iron or protein calorie deficiency and that associating acute glomerulonephritis, nephrosis and schistosoma haematobium. The rate of intestinal iron absorption using an oral dose of ferrous sulphate equivalent to 4 mg clemental iron/kg body weight was studied. The supplementing action of ascorbic acid in iron absorption in these cases was also investigated. The rate of intestinal iron absorption was enhanced in pure iron deficiency anaemia, acute glomerulonephritis and schistosoma haematobium, retarded in kwashiorkor, marasmus and nephrosis. Ascorbic acid markedly promoted iron absorption in normal subjects but slightly in pure iron deficiency anaemia. It improved iron absorption in acute glomerulonephritis and schistosoma haematobium but not in kwashiorkor, marasmus and nephrotic cases. It is concluded that ascorbic acid supplementation is of certain beneficial effect in alleviating the state of anaemia when intestinal iron absorption is not impaired. Also, it may prove to be of value to be given along with protein rehabilitation in anaemias associating protein deficiency.