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 ) .
Effective community intervention to improve hemoglobin status in preschoolers receiving once-weekly iron supplementation.
The effect of weekly iron supplementation with and without deworming on hemoglobin was investigated in a double-masked , placebo-controlled field trial . Subjects were 289 preschoolers who were r and omly divided into three groups . Groups 1 and 2 received 30 mg Fe once weekly and group 3 received a placebo . Group 1 additionally received anthelminthic treatment . Supplements were administered by the mothers , who were educated about iron deficiency beforeh and . In the iron-supplemented groups prevalence of anemia decreased from 37.2 % to 16.2 % ( P < 0.001 ) . Hemoglobin increased by an average of 6.9 + /- 9.8 g/L in the two iron-supplemented groups ( n = 191 ) , which was greater ( P < 0.001 ) than the increase of 1.9 + /- 8.0 g/L in the placebo group . None of the subjects had hookworm , and anthelminthic treatment did not have an additional effect . Iron supplements administered once weekly by mothers reduced anemia without major involvement of health staff
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 ) .