Improvements in growth following iron supplementation in young Kenyan school children
Latham, M.C.; Stephenson, L.S.; Kinoti, S.N.; Zaman, M.S.; Kurz, K.M.
Nutrition 6(2): 159-165
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0899-9007 PMID: 2134529 Document Number: 356357
A total of 68 children from Kwale District, Coast Province, Kenya, were allocated to an iron-supplementation group (ferrous sulphate 400 mg daily) or a placebo group. At the baseline before intervention the groups did not differ significantly in age, sex ratio, prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminthic infections, most anthropometric measurements or haemoglobin values. Although the study lasted for 32 weeks, children took Fe or placebos only on school days thus omitting weekends and school holidays. Examination at the end of the study showed that the Fe-supplemented children had grown significantly more in terms of weight, weight for height, arm circumference and skin-fold thickness than had the placebo group. Hb values had also improved significantly. It is concluded that where Fe-deficiency anaemia and undernutrition are prevalent in children, Fe supplementation will improve growth and Hb values.