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 ) .
Effects of iron and zinc supplementation in Indonesian infants on micronutrient status and growth.
In this study the effects of supplementation of iron and zinc , alone or combined , on iron status , zinc status and growth in Indonesian infants is investigated . Micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in infants in developing countries , and deficiencies often coexist ; thus , combined supplementation is an attractive strategy . However , little is known about interactions between micronutrients . In a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled supplementation trial , 478 infants , 4 mo of age , were supplemented for 6 mo with iron ( 10 mg/d ) , zinc ( 10 mg/d ) , iron + zinc ( 10 mg of each/d ) or placebo . Anthropometry was assessed monthly , and micronutrient status was assessed at the end of supplementation . Supplementation significantly reduced the prevalence of anemia , iron deficiency anemia and zinc deficiency . Iron supplementation did not negatively affect plasma zinc concentrations , and zinc supplementation did not increase the prevalence of anemia or iron deficiency anemia . However , iron supplementation combined with zinc was less effective than iron supplementation alone in reducing the prevalence of anemia ( 20 % vs. 38 % reduction ) and in increasing hemoglobin and plasma ferritin concentrations . There were no differences among the groups in growth . The growth of all groups was insufficient to maintain the same Z-scores for height for age and weight for height . There is a high prevalence of deficiencies of iron and zinc in these infants , which can be overcome safely and effectively by supplementation of iron and zinc combined . However , overcoming these deficiencies is not sufficient to improve growth performance in these infants
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 ) .