This systematic review indicates that iron supplementation increases  Hb levels in children significantly but modestly .
The increase is greater in subjects who are anaemic at the start of the trial and lower in malarial hyperendemic areas and in those consuming iron-fortified food .
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on  haemoglobin ( Hb ) in children through a systematic review of r and omised controlled trials .
School-administered weekly iron supplementation – Effect on the growth and hemoglobin status of non-anemic Bolivian school-age children
A randomized placebo-controlled trial
Summary Background Recent data suggest that daily iron supplementation of iron-replete children could impair their growth . If verified for weekly iron supplementation these results would markedly complicate targeting and implementing school-based weekly iron supplementation programs . Aim of the study To ascertain the effect of weekly iron supplementation on the growth and hemoglobin status of non-anemic school-age children . Subjects and methods 73 Bolivian non-anemic school-age children r and omly assigned to the treatment group ( n=37 ; receiving supplements containing FeSO4 during 18 weeks ) or the control group ( n=36 ; receiving a placebo during the same period ) . Hemoglobin concentration and anthropometric measures were determined for each child at the beginning ( T0 ) and the end ( T18 ) of the study . Results The treatment group did not show any significant variation in hemoglobin concentration between T0 and T18 ( −1.6±10.4 g/L ; P=0.40 ) whereas the control group showed a significant decrease in hemoglobin concentration ( −4.6±10.9 g/L ; P=0.03 ) . Anthropometric changes were not significantly different between the treatment and the control groups for weight , ( 1.63±1,11 kg vs 1.88±0.79 kg ; P=0.30 ) , height ( 2.35±0.94 cm vs 2.11±1.03 cm ; P=0.34 ) or mid-upper arm circumference ( 0.29±0.57 cm vs 0.22±0.54 cm ; P=0.64 ) . Conclusion In our study , weekly iron supplementation of non-anemic school-age children had no negative effect on their growth while having a positive effect in preventing significant decreases in hemoglobin concentration . These results suggest that in regions where iron deficiency anemia ( IDA ) is prevalent , a simple and cost-effective way to control IDA in school-age children is to give weekly iron supplements to all children at school
This systematic review indicates that iron supplementation increases  Hb levels in children significantly but modestly .
The increase is greater in subjects who are anaemic at the start of the trial and lower in malarial hyperendemic areas and in those consuming iron-fortified food .
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on  haemoglobin ( Hb ) in children through a systematic review of r and omised controlled trials .