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 ) .
Daily Multivitamins with Iron to Prevent Anemia in Infancy: A Randomized Clinical Trial
This study assessed the effectiveness of multivitamins ( MV ) with iron as prophylaxis against  iron deficiency ( ID ) and anemia in infancy . The study was a double-blind , r and omized trial at 2 urban primary care clinics . Subjects included healthy , full-term infants enrolled at their 6-month well-child visit . Parents administered MV , either with iron or without iron , by mouth daily for 3 months . At 9 months of age , 28.3 % of 310 had either anemia or ID without anemia . Among infants with any adherence , anemia was found in 11.1 % of the iron group and 21.7 % in the noniron group ( RR=0.5 , 95 % CI=0.3 - 1.0 ) . Iron deficiency without anemia was found in 18.5 % of the iron group ; 14.4 % of the noniron group ( p=0.46 ) . When administered daily starting at age 6 months , st and ard-dose multivitamins with iron appear to reduce anemia prevalence at 9 months of age
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 ) .