title: Impact of iron-fortified foods on Hb concentration in children (<10 years): a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To combine evidence from randomized controlled trials to assess the effect of Fe-fortified foods on mean Hb concentration in children (<10 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled, Fe-fortified feeding trials that evaluated Hb concentration. The weighted mean difference was calculated for net changes in Hb by using random-effects models. Meta-regression and covariate analyses were performed to explore the influence of confounders on the net pooled effect.
  
  
  METHODS
  Trials were identified through a systematic search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library and secondary references.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen studies covering 5142 participants were identified. The duration of feeding of fortified foods ranged from 6 to 12 months in these studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen studies were included and evaluated in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled estimate of Hb concentration showed a significant increase in the fortification group compared with the control group (weighted mean difference = 5·09 g/l; 95% CI 3·23, 6·95 g/l; I 2 = 90%, τ 2 = 18·37, P < 0·0001). Meta-regression analysis indicated that duration of feeding was positively related to the effect size (regression coefficient = 0·368; 95% CI 0·005, 0·731; P < 0·05). The net pooled effect size after removing the confounders was 4·74 (95% CI 3·08, 6·40) g/l.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed an association between intake of Fe-fortified foods and Hb concentration in children aged <10 years. Fe-fortified foods could be an effective strategy for reducing Fe-deficiency anaemia in children.
authors: 1 Division of Biostatistics, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jamai-Osmania, Hyderabad - 500007, Andra Pradesh, India.
authors: Ramesh
authors: R
authors: Athe
authors: 1 Division of Biostatistics, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jamai-Osmania, Hyderabad - 500007, Andra Pradesh, India.
authors: M Vishnu Vardhana
authors: MV
authors: Rao
authors: 2 Division of Micronutrient Research, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India.
authors: K Madhavan
authors: KM
authors: Nair
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D007501:Iron
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