Iron Supplementation at Age 4 Months to Prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia in Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial; Pilot study

Abstract

Objective: To study the effects of iron supplementation on hemoglobin and iron status in children aged 9 months old.

Method: This was a randomized control trial in a study group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20) of infants aged 4 months. The study group was given iron supplement (15 mg;1.5-2 mg /kg/day). Meanwhile, the same dose of placebo was given to the control group.Hemoglobin and serum ferritin were measured at age 4 months and 9 months (after the 5-month medication). The primary outcome was the evaluation of hemoglobin and serum ferritin between the two groups. Whilst, the secondary outcome was the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia at age 9 months.

Results: During 4-9 months, iron supplement significantly increased weight, serum ferritin, change of hemoglobin, and serum ferritin between both groups. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia at age 9 months was decreased in the supplemented group.

Conclusion: After undergoing 5 months of iron supplementation, there was a statistically significantincrease in hemoglobin levels and serum ferritin within the study group, compared to the control group, at the age of 9 months. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in the control group was 20%. However, the study group exhibited a lower occurrence of iron deficiency anemia, specifically at 5%.