title: Milk-based cornstarch porridge fortified with iron is effective in reducing anemia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: This study evaluates the impact of a milk-based cornstarch porridge fortified with iron, in 4-year olds, compared with control on hemoglobin levels and anemia prevalence. This trial was a cluster-randomized, double-blind one, and used milk-based cornstarch porridge fortified with 10 mg elemental iron (FeSO(4)), daily, during 14 weeks, compared with control. The study population comprised 4-year-old preschoolers (n = 131). Mean hemoglobin values at baseline were found to be 10.6 ± 0.61 g dl(-1) for intervention group, and after intervention 11.5 ± 0.80 g/dl, p < 0.0001. For control, mean hemoglobin values at baseline were 10.9 ± 0.53 g/dl, and after intervention 11.2 ± 0.73, p < 0.0001. The increase in mean hemoglobin was much greater in the intervention than in the control group, 0.86-0.26 g dl(-1), respectively (p < 0.0001). Anemia prevalence reduced from 75% to 20%, p < 0.0001, in the intervention group, with no reduction in the control group. Number needed for treatment was four. This study showed that milk-based cornstarch porridge fortified with ferrous sulfate increased hemoglobin levels and reduced anemia prevalence in 4-year-old preschoolers.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Ceara, Sobral Unit, Av. Comandante Maurocélio Rocha Ponte, 100 - Derby, 62.042-280 - Sobral - CE, Brazil. placidoarcanjo@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Francisco Plácido Nogueira
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Arcanjo
authors.forename: Cecília Costa
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Arcanjo
authors.forename: Francisco Carlos Nogueira
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Arcanjo
authors.forename: Lício de Albuquerque
authors.initials: Lde A
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Olga Maria Silverio
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Amancio
authors.forename: Josefina Aparecida Pellegrini
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Braga
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006441:Hemoglobin A / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D013213:Starch; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D013213:Starch; D006441:Hemoglobin A