title: [Efficacy of iron supplementation with or without vitamin A for anemia control].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. 17 de Agosto 175, Recife, PE 52060-590, Brazil. rucape@hotlink.com.br
authors.forename: Rute Cândida
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Luiz Oscar Cardoso
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Alcides da Silva
authors.initials: Ada S
authors.lastname: Diniz
authors.forename: Malaquias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Batista Filho
authors.forename: José Natal
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Figueirôa
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D006454:Hemoglobins; D014801:Vitamin A; C020748:ferrous sulfate