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Effect of iron supplementation on physical growth in children: systematic review of randomised controlled trials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

HPS Sachdev ,
Tarun Gera  and
Penelope Nestel
HPS Sachdev*
Affiliation:
Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Paediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, 110 002, India
Tarun Gera
Affiliation:
SL Jain Hospital, New Delhi, 110 052, India
Penelope Nestel
Affiliation:
HarvestPlus, International Food Policy Research Institute, 2033 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006-1002, USA
*
*corresponding author: Email hpssachdev@hotmail.com
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Abstract

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Objective

To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on physical growth in children through a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Data sources

Electronic databases, personal files, and hand search of reviews, bibliographies of books, abstracts and proceedings of international conferences.

Review methods

RCTs evaluating change in anthropometry with interventions that included oral or parenteral iron supplementation, or iron-fortified formula milk or cereals, were analysed.

Results

Twenty-five trials (26 cohorts) had relevant information. There was no evidence of publication bias. The pooled estimates (random effects model) did not document a statistically significant (P<0.05) positive effect of iron supplementation on any anthropometric variable (weight-for-age, weight-for-height, height-for-age, mid upper-arm circumference, skinfold thickness, head circumference). Significant heterogeneity was evident, and its predictors included greater weight-for-age in supplemented children in malaria hyperendemic regions and greater weight-for-height for children above 5 years of age, but a negative effect on linear growth in developed countries and with supplementation for 6 months or longer.

Conclusions

This review did not document a positive effect of iron supplementation on the physical growth of children. The identified predictors of heterogeneity should be considered as exploratory and requiring confirmation, not conclusive

Keywords

AnaemiaAnthropometryGrowthHeight-for-ageIron deficiencyIron supplementationMeta-analysisRandomised controlled trialsWeight-for-ageWeight-for-height
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 9 , Issue 7 , October 2006 , pp. 904 - 920
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2006

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