Effect of iron-fortified drinking water of daycare facilities on the hemoglobin status of young children.
BACKGROUND
Anemia is the most prevalent nutrition problem in young children. One possible strategy to prevent anemia is affordable fortification of drinking water.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of iron-fortified drinking water of daycare facilities on the hemoglobin and anthropometric status of pre-school children.


METHODS
Hemoglobin (Hb) status, weight and height measurements were assessed in 160 pre-school children aged 6 to 59 m before and after 8 m consumption of iron- (12 mg/L) and vitamin C- (90 mg/L) fortified drinking water.


RESULTS
Initially, 43.2% (69) of the children evaluated as being anemic decreased to 21% (37) at the end of study. At baseline, 42 (26.3%) children suffered from moderate anemia and 27 (16.9%) suffered severe anemia, but after iron fortification, total number of children suffering from moderate and severe anemia had decreased to 32 (20.7%) and 5 (3%), respectively. Weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ) and weight-for-height (WHZ) Z-scores increased significantly from -0.84 +/- 1.03 to 0.06 +/- 1.10, -0.84 +/- 1.11 to 0.54 +/- 1.10 and -0.39 +/- 0.94 to -0.18 +/- 1.14, respectively (p < 0.05). Daycare personnel reported increased appetite and food consumption and decreased absenteeism during intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Daily consumption of iron-fortified drinking water in daycare facilities is an effective, simple and inexpensive means of reducing and controlling for moderate and severe anemia in pre-school children.
Beinner
Mark A
MA
Faculty of Health Sciences,University of Brasilia, BRAZIL. mbeinner@yahoo.com
Lamounier
Joel A
JA
Tomaz
Carlos
C
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000886:Anthropometry; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001938:Brazil; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004326:Drinking; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D014867:Water; D001205:Ascorbic Acid