Preventive intervention for iron deficiency anaemia in a high risk population

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a common nutritional problem. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of nutritional education and supplemental iron administration on the prevalence of IDA in Arab infants. METHODS: Three hundred and ten infants were randomized alternately into two groups. Mothers (n = 143) in the control group received standard information on prevention of IDA and mothers in the intervention group (n = 144) received extensive information on the importance of an iron-rich diet. Data was scored regarding diet contents. Mothers in the intervention group were encouraged to give their children an iron polymaltose complex (IPC) preparation starting from age 4 months to 1 year. Compliance of receiving the medication was evaluated. The groups were compared for outcome by chi-square test. Main outcome measures were haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and serum ferritin levels. RESULTS: Anaemia (Hb <11 g/dL) was recorded in 28% and 34% of the intervention and control groups, respectively (p = NS). There was no effect of infant or parental background factors on rate of anaemia. Frequency of anaemia was lower in infants who received ≥6 months of iron medication according to mothers' reports, and in infants breastfed for ≥6 months (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Questions were raised regarding the strategies of preventing IDA in infancy.

Use of Iron Supplements In Children Aged 1-2 Years With Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Cross-Sectional Research

“…Frequency of anaemia was lower in infants who received ≥6 months of iron medication according to mothers’ reports, and in infants breastfed for ≥6 months”. 17 In our study, we also found that families who received information about IDA and iron medicine and duration of consumption, used the iron medicine more.…”

The Duration, Frequency, and Volume of Exclusive Human Milk and/or Infant Formula Consumption and Nutrient Status: A Systematic Review

“…Three studies followed participants starting at or close to their birth, 2,7,20 1 study enrolled participants by 30 days of age, 16 and 1 followed participants starting at about 4 months. 8 Participants in the U.S. study were mostly White, 2 participants in the multinational study were all White, 16 participants in the study from Iceland had Icelandic parents, 20 and participants in the study from Israel were Arab and about 61% were from low-income families. 8 Isomura et al 7 did not report demographic information.…”

“…Ten articles, published between 1990 and 2019, examined the relationships of ever compared with never consuming human milk, and different durations of any human milk consumption, with iron status from birth to 24 months. [1][2][3][7][8][9]12,16,20,23 No evidence was identified that met the inclusion criteria to examine different durations of exclusive human milk consumption before the introduction of infant formula or different intensities, proportions, or amounts of human milk consumed by mixed-fed infants.…”

“…Five articles present evidence comparing iron status in infants who consumed human milk for different durations. 2,7,8,16,20 Population…”

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“…Frequency of anaemia was lower in infants who received iron medication ≥ 6 months and in infants breastfed for ≥ 6 months. After this study various questions were raised regarding the strategies of preventing iron deficiency anaemia in infancy [7] .…”