title: Daily multivitamins with iron to prevent anemia in infancy: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: This study assessed the effectiveness of multivitamins (MV) with iron as prophylaxis against iron deficiency (ID) and anemia in infancy. The study was a double-blind, randomized trial at 2 urban primary care clinics. Subjects included healthy, full-term infants enrolled at their 6-month well-child visit. Parents administered MV, either with iron or without iron, by mouth daily for 3 months. At 9 months of age, 28.3% of 310 had either anemia or ID without anemia. Among infants with any adherence, anemia was found in 11.1% of the iron group and 21.7% in the noniron group (RR=0.5, 95% CI=0.3-1.0). Iron deficiency without anemia was found in 18.5% of the iron group; 14.4% of the noniron group (p=0.46). When administered daily starting at age 6 months, standard-dose multivitamins with iron appear to reduce anemia prevalence at 9 months of age.
authors.affiliation: Division of Community, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, MA, USA.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Geltman
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Meyers
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bauchner
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007501:Iron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D014815:Vitamins; D007501:Iron