Preventive strategy to control iron deficiency anemia in children and adults.

OBJECTIVE

To compare improvement in hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and ferritin levels in children aged 5-10 years and women of reproductive age (15-45) supplemented with daily oral and once weekly with single and double dose of ferrous sulphate.

METHOD

Twenty children received 200 mg ferrous sulfate daily and 20 received the same dose once weekly for two months. Ten women received 300 mg ferrous sulfate daily, 10 received the same dose once weekly while 10 received 600 mg of ferrous sulfate once weekly for one month.

RESULTS

All parameters improved significantly in children who received 200 mg ferrous sulfate daily and weekly. Similarly, the parameters improved significantly in women who received 300 mg of ferrous sulfate daily and 600 mg of ferrous sulfate weekly.

CONCLUSION

Weekly supplementation of iron is far better in controlling iron deficiency anemia due to cost effectiveness and better compliance.