This systematic review indicates that iron supplementation increases  Hb levels in children significantly but modestly .
The increase is greater in subjects who are anaemic at the start of the trial and lower in malarial hyperendemic areas and in those consuming iron-fortified food .
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on  haemoglobin ( Hb ) in children through a systematic review of r and omised controlled trials .
Improvements in growth following iron supplementation in young Kenyan school children.
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 grade s 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
This systematic review indicates that iron supplementation increases  Hb levels in children significantly but modestly .
The increase is greater in subjects who are anaemic at the start of the trial and lower in malarial hyperendemic areas and in those consuming iron-fortified food .
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on  haemoglobin ( Hb ) in children through a systematic review of r and omised controlled trials .