Significant heterogeneity was evident , and its predictors included greater weight-for-age in supplemented children in malaria hyperendemic regions and greater weight-for-height for children above 5 years of age , but a negative effect on linear growth in developed countries and with supplementation for 6 months or longer .
This review did not document a positive effect of iron supplementation on the physical growth of children .
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on  physical growth in children through a systematic review of r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) .
The effect of different anthelmintic treatment regimens combined with iron supplementation on the nutritional status of schoolchildren in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a randomized controlled trial.
A r and omized controlled trial in KwaZulu-Natal ( South Africa ) of 428 primary -school pupils ( stratified into 6 groups by age , sex and intervention ) measured the effect of different anthelmintic treatments and iron supplementation regimens provided twice at 6-monthly intervals for 1 year ( 1996/97 ) . Half the pupils received iron supplementation ( ferrous fumarate 200 mg weekly for 10 weeks ) . Pupils received 2 anthelmintic regimens , either ( i ) albendazole 400 mg plus praziquantel 40 mg/kg or ( ii ) albendazole 400 mg on 3 consecutive days plus praziquantel 40 mg/kg or ( iii ) placebo . Baseline prevalences of Ascaris 55.9 % , Trichuris 83.6 % , hookworm spp . 59.4 % , were reduced after 12 months for single-dose albendazole treatment to Ascaris 17.4 % ( P < 0.005 ) , Trichuris 61.5 % ( NS ) , hookworm spp . 0 % ( P < 0.005 ) , and for triple-dose albendazole treatment to Ascaris 14.8 % ( P < 0.005 ) , Trichuris 25.0 % ( P < 0.01 ) , hookworm 0 % ( P < 0.005 ) . Schistosoma haematobium 43.4 % was reduced among treated groups to 8.3 % ( P < 0.005 ) . There were no significant changes in the anthropometry of the different treatment groups at either 6 or 12 months post treatment . Twelve months after treatment there was a significant increase in haemoglobin levels ( P = 0.02 ) among pupils receiving triple-dose albendazole , praziquantel and ferrous fumarate ; pupils receiving no anthelmintic treatment showed a significant decrease as did pupils who received triple-dose albendazole and praziquantel but no iron . Regular 6-monthly anthelmintic treatment significantly reduced the prevalence of Ascaris , hookworm spp . and S. haematobium infections ( P < 0.05 ) . Triple-dose treatment for Trichuris was significantly more effective than a single dose of albendazole 400 mg ( P = 0.002 ) . In areas with schistosomiasis , hookworm infection and high prevalence of Trichuris infection , combination treatment with praziquantel , triple-dose albendazole , plus iron supplementation , is likely to improve pupils ' health and haemoglobin levels
Significant heterogeneity was evident , and its predictors included greater weight-for-age in supplemented children in malaria hyperendemic regions and greater weight-for-height for children above 5 years of age , but a negative effect on linear growth in developed countries and with supplementation for 6 months or longer .
This review did not document a positive effect of iron supplementation on the physical growth of children .
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on  physical growth in children through a systematic review of r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) .