After the intervention , Hb concentration and serum ferritin concentration were both higher in the NaFeEDTA group compared with the control group .
Subgroup analysis indicated that a lower baseline Hb level was associated with a greater increase in Hb concentration .
No significant difference in serum Zn concentration was found .
We concluded that NaFeEDTA increased both Hb concentration and serum ferritin concentration substantially in Fe-deficient population s , and could be an effective Fe preparation to combat Fe deficiency
Improving iron absorption from a Peruvian school breakfast meal by adding ascorbic acid or Na2EDTA.
BACKGROUND Iron-fortified school breakfasts have been introduced in Peru to combat childhood iron deficiency . OBJECTIVE We evaluated whether iron absorption from a school breakfast meal was improved by increasing the ascorbic acid content or by adding an alternative enhancer of iron absorption , Na2EDTA . DESIGN In a crossover design , iron absorption from test meals was evaluated by erythrocyte incorporation of 58Fe and 57Fe . The test meals ( wheat bread and a drink containing cereal , milk , and soy ) contained 14 mg added Fe ( as ferrous sulfate ) including 2.0 - 2.6 mg 58Fe or 4.0 - 7.0 mg 57Fe . RESULTS Geometric mean iron absorption increased significantly from 5.1 % to 8.2 % after the molar ratio of ascorbic acid to fortification iron was increased from 0.6:1 to 1.6:1 ( P < 0.01 ; n = 9 ) . Geometric mean iron absorption increased significantly from 2.9 % to 3.8 % , from 2.2 % to 3.5 % , and from 2.4 % to 3.7 % after addition of Na2EDTA at molar ratios relative to fortification iron of 0.3:1 , 0.7:1 , and 1:1 , respectively , compared with test meals containing no added enhancers ( P < 0.01 ; n = 10 for all ) . Iron absorption after addition of ascorbic acid ( molar ratio 0.6:1 ) was not significantly different from that after addition of Na2EDTA ( molar ratio 0.7:1 ) . CONCLUSIONS Ascorbic acid and Na2EDTA did not differ significantly in their enhancing effects on iron absorption at molar ratios of 0.6:1 to 0.7:1 relative to fortification iron . Additional ascorbic acid ( molar ratio 1.6:1 ) increased iron absorption significantly . Increasing the molar ratio of Na2EDTA to fortification iron from 0.3:1 to 1:1 had no effect on iron absorption
After the intervention , Hb concentration and serum ferritin concentration were both higher in the NaFeEDTA group compared with the control group .
Subgroup analysis indicated that a lower baseline Hb level was associated with a greater increase in Hb concentration .
No significant difference in serum Zn concentration was found .
We concluded that NaFeEDTA increased both Hb concentration and serum ferritin concentration substantially in Fe-deficient population s , and could be an effective Fe preparation to combat Fe deficiency