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 .
Treatment with iron increases weight gain and psychomotor development.
Previous work at this hospital and elsewhere has shown that anaemia in toddlers is common and is associated with psychomotor delay . It seemed unclear , however , whether this association was cause and effect or merely due to the same underprivileged environment . A double blind r and omised intervention study was , therefore , performed . After an initial assessment 97 children with anaemia ( haemoglobin 8 - 11 g/dl ) aged 17 - 19 months received either iron and vitamin C or vitamin C only ( control group ) for two months and were then reassessed . The children who received the iron had an increased rate of weight gain and more of them achieved the expected rate of development . While iron deficiency anaemia is unlikely to be the only factor in the slower development of children living in underprivileged circumstances , it can at least be easily identified and treated . Routine child health surveillance in such areas should include a haemoglobin determination
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 .