Efficacy of ferric sodium ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid supplement in reducing iron deficiency anaemia among under five children in Morogoro
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Date
2013
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Use of high dose of iron (10 mg) supplement to control Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA)
as recommended by WHO/FAO has been reported to increase severity of malaria in
malaria endemic areas. This study was conducted in Mvomero district, one of malaria
endemic areas in Tanzania to determine the efficacy of a low dose ferric sodium ethylene
diamine tetraacetic acid (Fe Na-EDTA) supplement to reduce anaemia among children
aged 6-36 months. A total of 1021 children were screened for their weights, heights and
blood haemoglobin concentrations. Out of 1021 children, 217 met the eligibility criteria
of being mildly anaemic with blood hemoglobin concentration ranging from >7 to <
9g/dl.
At baseline, children in the study group were screened for Hb and malaria
parasites and all children received anti-helfninthes drug- 600 mg of melbendazol (except
children under the age of one year). Study children were divided into two groups of 108
each. Group one received the low-dose iron (5 mg of 2.5 mg Fe-lactate and 2.5 mg Fe-
Na-EDTA) while the other group received the high dose of iron (10 mg Iron lactate). The
children received the supplement for a period of 8 weeks. Results showed that, there was
a significant (p<0.05) improvement in the Hb concentration for both groups receiving
low and high doses of iron. Likewise, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the
Hb concetrations between the group receiving 10 mg iron lactate and the one receiving 5
mg Na-EDTA (2.5 mg ferrous lactate and 2.5 mg EDTA). The average Hb concentration
for the group receiving high dose iron was 11.1 ± 2.0 g/dl while for the group receiving
low dose iron the mean Hb concentration was 11.0 ± 2.9 g/dl. It was concluded from this
study that, consumption of low dose iron (combination of 2.5 mg sodium-ferric EDTA
and 2.5 mg of iron lactate) was just as effective in controlling IDA as consuming high
dose iron (10 mg of iron lactate). Low dose of Fe-containing EDTA may therefore be
adopted in anaemia control programs especially in malaria endemic areas. It is recommended that, in order for the iron deficiency control programs to be effective, there
must be a concurrent control of malaria and helminthes.
Description
Master's Theses
Keywords
Nutrition status-children aged 6-59 months, Anthropometric characteristics, Dietary pattern- children, Morogoro