[Efficacy of iron supplementation with or without vitamin A for anemia control].
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of weekly iron supplementation with or without vitamin A in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, using an experimental, randomized, non-placebo-controlled design in 1999. 267 schoolchildren 6 to 14 years of age were randomized to two treatment groups: one group (144) received 200mg iron sulfate alone, with 40 mg of elemental iron, while the other (123) received the same iron supplementation dose plus 10,000 IU of vitamin A (both groups for 30 weeks). Final anemia prevalence was reduced from 48.4% to 17.7% (p < 0.001) in the group receiving iron supplementation alone and 58.1% to 14.3% (p < 0.001) in the group receiving iron plus vitamin A. There was no significant difference between the groups at the end of the study according to mean Hb (p = 0.355) and anemia (p = 0.479). There was a significant correction for iron deficiency anemia with weekly iron-alone supplementation, but with no additional advantage of vitamin A. New studies on the synergism between these two micronutrients are recommended.
Pereira
Rute Cândida
RC
Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. 17 de Agosto 175, Recife, PE 52060-590, Brazil. rucape@hotlink.com.br
Ferreira
Luiz Oscar Cardoso
LO
Diniz
Alcides da Silva
Ada S
Batista Filho
Malaquias
M
Figueirôa
José Natal
JN
D000293:Adolescent; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D006454:Hemoglobins; D014801:Vitamin A; C020748:ferrous sulfate