[Effectiveness of different iron supplementation strategies on hemoglobin and ferritin levels among schoolchildren in Teresina, Piauí State, Brazil].

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of supplementation with ferrous sulfate and iron bis-glycinate chelate on hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels among schoolchildren (7-11 years) of both sexes. A randomized community-based trial including 138 anemic children (hemoglobin < 11.5 g/dL) was conducted in Teresina, Piauí State, Brazil. Children were assigned to two treatment groups on an individual basis. One group (n = 71) received 40 mg iron as ferrous sulfate once weekly and the other group (n = 67) received 3.8 mg of iron bis-glycinate chelate-enriched cookies, 3x/week, for 8 weeks. The interventions showed a significant increase (p < 0.01) in hemoglobin levels (1.1g/dL) for children who received ferrous sulfate and 0.9 g/dl in those who received iron bis-glycinate chelate, although not significant in the inter-group comparison (p > 0.05). No effect was observed on body iron for either intervention (p > 0.05). Children with depleted iron stores (< 15 ng/mL) at the beginning of interventions showed increased serum ferritin concentrations after 8 weeks (p < 0.01), although no difference between treatments (p > 0.05) was observed. The results confirm the effectiveness of the iron supplementation interventions and corroborate the use of iron salts or ferrous bisglycinate chelate on a weekly basis to overcome iron deficiency and anemia.

• Authors: Marize Melo Dos Santos, Nadir do Nascimento Nogueira, Alcides da Silva Diniz
• Journal: Cadernos de saude publica (Cad Saude Publica) Vol. 23 Issue 7 Pg. 1547-52 (Jul 2007) ISSN: 0102-311X [Print] Brazil
• Vernacular Title: Efetividade de diferentes estratégias de intervenção com ferro nos níveis de hemoglobina e ferritina em escolares de Teresina, Piauí, Brasil.
• PMID: 17572803 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Ferrous Compounds
• Glycine Agents
• Hemoglobins
• bis-glycino iron II
• ferrous sulfate
• Ferritins
• Glycine

Topics

• Anemia, Iron-Deficiency (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Biomarkers
• Brazil
• Child
• Dietary Supplements (standards)
• Female
• Ferritins (blood)
• Ferrous Compounds (administration & dosage)
• Glycine (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
• Glycine Agents (administration & dosage)
• Hemoglobins (analysis)
• Humans
• Male
• Students