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 ) .
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
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 ) .