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
Evaluation of cluster randomized controlled trials in sub-Saharan Africa.
Cluster r and omized controlled trials ( C RCTs ) are attractive in setting s in which individual r and omization is difficult or impossible . This issue is common when study ing several health problems in developing countries . The authors aim ed to assess empirically the extent to which the prerequisite design and analysis aspects of cluster r and omization were taken into account and reported properly in C RCTs conducted in sub-Saharan Africa . C RCTs published in the last three decades were evaluated by using a checklist based on the Consoli date d St and ards of Reporting Trials ( CONSORT ) statement . The authors identified 51 eligible C RCTs ; 40 of them ( 78 % ) had been published after 1990 . Only 10 ( 20 % ) studies took clustering into account in sample size or power calculations , and only 19 ( 37 % ) took clustering into account in the analysis . Intracluster correlation coefficients and design effects were reported in only one ( 2 % ) and three ( 6 % ) trials , respectively . An increasing number of C RCTs are conducted in sub-Saharan Africa , but many are not analyzed and reported properly . The special features stemming from cluster r and omization need to be addressed in the design , analysis , and reporting of these studies
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