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 .
Iron fortified follow on formula from 9 to 18 months improves iron status but not development or growth: a randomised trial
AIMS Iron deficiency anaemia is associated , in observational studies , with developmental disadvantage . This study tested the hypothesis that feeding iron supplemented formula from 9 to 18 months of age would improve developmental performance . SUBJECTS AND METHODS 493 healthy children aged 9 months being fed pasteurised cows ’ milk were recruited from three UK centres . They were r and omised to : cows ’ milk as before , formula containing 0.9 mg/litre iron , or formula containing 1.2 mg/litre iron , until 18 months of age . Bayley mental and psychomotor developmental indices were measured at 18 months , as were growth and haematological indices . RESULTS Children fed iron fortified formula had higher plasma ferritin concentrations , but there were no significant intergroup differences in development or growth . CONCLUSIONS There are no developmental or growth advantages in children given iron supplemented formula , but a benefit for a minority who were anaemic , or the possibility that a benefit may emerge at a later age , can not be excluded
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 .