title: Reducing iron deficiency anemia in Bolivian school children: calcium and iron combined versus iron supplementation alone.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the effect of combined calcium and iron versus single iron supplementation on iron status in Bolivian schoolchildren.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children ages 6 to 10 y old (N = 195), were randomly assigned to receive either 700 mg Ca (as calcium carbonate) plus 30 mg Fe (as ferrous sulfate) (Ca + Fe group) or 30 mg Fe (as ferrous sulfate) (Fe group). The doses were administered daily, from Monday to Friday, between meals at school over 3 mo. Iron status was assessed at baseline and after intervention. Additionally, overall nutritional status was assessed by anthropometry and an estimation of dietary intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, the prevalence of anemia in the Ca + Fe group and the Fe group were 15% and 21.5%, respectively. After 3 mo follow-up, the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia dropped significantly (P < 0.001) to 3% in both groups (χ(2) = NS). Iron dietary intake was within recommended levels, but calcium intake only covered 39% of the Recommended Daily Intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined calcium and iron supplementation is equally as effective as single iron supplementation in reducing the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in Bolivian school children.
authors.affiliation: Micronutrients Laboratory, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.affiliation: Micronutrients Laboratory, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olivares
authors.affiliation: Micronutrients Laboratory, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Western Human Nutrition Research Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brito
authors.affiliation: Micronutrients Laboratory, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: Fpizarro@inta.uchile.cl.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pizarro
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001838:Bolivia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D019266:Iron, Dietary; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D007501:Iron; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Anemia; Bolivian; Calcium; Iron; Iron status