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Iron and micronutrients supplementation has been used widely to correct specific nutritional deficiencies linked to anemia. Oral iron supplements are the first-line treatment for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in women of reproductive age. Gastrointestinal side effects from iron supplement intake are commonly reported, but can be decreased by following proper dosing regimens. Iron preparations available on the market vary widely in dosage, formulation, cost, and bioavailability.

Highly bioavailable ferrous iron is generally the most effective formulation for replenishing hemoglobin in patients with iron-deficiency anemia. However, the most commonly used formulation is the least expensive form, ferrous sulfate, which is more likely than ferrous iron to cause gastrointestinal discomfort. The bioavailability of another formulation, ferric iron is 3 to 4 times lower than that of ferrous sulfate. In areas with a high burden of viral, parasitic, and/or bacterial infections, aiming supplementation at children who are anemic or at risk of iron deficiency is suggested, accompanied by malaria prevention and disease treatment strategies. Vitamin A supplementation can improve hemoglobin concentrations.

We found 61 resource(s)

A Qualitative Analysis of Program Fidelity and Perspectives of Educators and Parents after Two Years of the Girls' Iron-Folate Tablet Supplementation (GIFTS) Program in Ghanaian Secondary Schools
Journal Article published by Curr Dev Nutr in
To address the burden of anemia in adolescent girls in Ghana, the Girls' Iron-Folate Tablet Supplementation program was established in 2017. This study qualitatively describes the differences in program implementation among schools and across time after two years of implementation, and highlights potential factors that drive such differences.
A School-Based Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation Program Effectively Reduces Anemia in a Prospective Cohort of Ghanaian Adolescent Girls
Journal Article published by Journal of Nutrition in
This study evaluated the effectiveness of school-based weekly iron and folic acid supplementation program in reducing the burden of anemia and increasing hemoglobin concentrations in two regions of Ghana.
The Inclusion of Folic Acid in Weekly Iron-Folic Acid Supplements Confers no Additional Benefit on Anemia Reduction in Nonpregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Malaysia
Journal Article published by Journal of Nutrition in
This paper reports the results of a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial in Malaysia that examined whether the inclusion of folic acid in weekly iron and folic acid supplements in nonpregnant women aged 18–45 years conferred any benefit on hemoglobin concentration, anemia reduction, or iron status, over iron alone.
Baseline Hemoglobin, Hepcidin, Ferritin, and Total Body Iron Stores are Equally Strong Diagnostic Predictors of a Hemoglobin Response to 12 Weeks of Daily Iron Supplementation in Cambodian Women
Journal Article published by Journal of Nutrition in
This paper reports the performance of hematological biomarkers (hemoglobin [Hb], measured with both a hematology analyzer and a HemoCue; inflammation-adjusted ferritin; soluble transferrin receptor; reticulocyte Hb; hepcidin; mean corpuscular volume; inflammation-adjusted total body iron stores; total iron binding capacity; and transferrin…
Home Fortification of Foods with Multiple Micronutrient Powders for Health and Nutrition in Children under Two Years of Age
Systematic Review published by Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in
This is an update of a 2011 systematic review that assessed the impact of home fortification of foods with micronutrient powders on nutrition, health, and developmental outcomes in children under two years of age globally.
Barriers to and Facilitators of Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation Within a School-Based Integrated Nutrition and Health Promotion Program Among Ghanaian Adolescent Girls
Journal Article published by Curr Dev Nutr in
This study describes the barriers to and facilitators of program fidelity to a school-based anemia reduction program with weekly iron and folic acid supplementation among adolescent girls in Ghana.
Oral Iron Supplementation in Iron-Deficient Women: How Much and How Often?
Literature Review published by Molecular Aspects of Medicine in
This review on oral iron supplementation provides an overview of recently conducted stable iron isotope studies conducted in young women to quantify iron absorption.
Iron Supplementation in Infants: A Reflection on Hepcidin and Fractional Iron Absorption
Journal Article published by Am J Clin Nutr in
This editorial discusses the implications of a study that assesses the effect of iron dosing schedules on plasma hepcidin and iron absorption in high-risk infants in Kenya and found that iron absorption administered in a variety of methods in a pediatric population and found that less frequent dosing results in increased fractional absorption of…