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 .
Effect of daily iron supplementation on iron status, cell-mediated immunity, and incidence of infections in 6–36 month old Togolese children
Objective : To assess the impact of a daily oral iron supplementation on hematological status , cell-mediated immunity and susceptibility to infections in children living in an environment where iron deficiency , malaria and other infections are frequent . Design : R and omized , double-blind iron supplementation including a placebo group . Setting : A village in Togo , West Africa . Subjects : Of the 229 6–36-month-old children of both sexes recruited , 197 with hemoglobin concentration ≥80 g/l were included and 163 completed the study .Intervention : Children received daily a placebo ( n=79 ) or a dose of 2–3 mg of elemental iron per kg of body weight ( n=84 ) for 3 months . Hematological , nutritional and immune status were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the supplementation period , and 6 months later . Morbidity was recorded throughout the study . Results : Iron supplementation had a significant and positive effect on iron status of children and no impact on the incidence of infections , especially malaria . Its probable effect on immune status was masked by interference of infections and their treatment , which contributed to improve hematological and immune status in both groups . Conclusion : According to the negative consequences of anemia and iron deficiency on global child development , control of iron deficiency by oral iron supplementation in young children has to be conducted , associated with prophylaxis and treatment of malaria and repeated deworming . Sponsorship : Program supported by IRD.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition ( 2000 ) 54 ,
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 .