Anemia reduction in preschool children with the addition of low doses of iron to school meals.

BACKGROUND

In developing countries there is high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia, which causes negative impact on growth, development and quality of life for infant population. Currently several strategies are being elaborated and tested to tackle this problem.

OBJECTIVE

To measure anemia prevalence in preschool children. To evaluate fortification effectiveness with 5 or 10 mg of elemental iron/daily added to school meals by increasing hemoglobin levels in anemic children.

METHODS

Double-blind, cluster randomized intervention study with 728 students from public network. Blood count was taken at beginning of study, to evaluate anemia prevalence, those anemic were selected for intervention, after intervention new blood count was taken to evaluate fortification effectiveness. Ferrous Sulphate was added in individual dosage of 5 or 10 mg of elemental iron/daily to usual school meal. From 35 schools 3 were randomized to receive 5 mg/daily (group A) and 3 to receive 10 mg/daily (group B). Hemoglobin and hematocrit averages before and after intervention were compared in each group and between them.

RESULTS

In group A, the anemia prevalence reduced 34.9 to 12.4%, and in group B 39.0 to 18.7%. In both groups a significant increase in hemoglobin was observed: in group A from 10.1 to 11.5 g/dl (p < 0.01) and in group B from 10.0 to 11.0 g/dl (p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in final levels of hemoglobin among groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Both dosages of elemental iron were equally effective in increasing hemoglobin levels, and reducing anemia prevalence. Fortification of school meals was shown to be an effective, low cost and easy to manage intervention.