Effectiveness of Intermittent Iron Treatment of Two- to Six-Year-Old Jordanian Children with Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

Weekly and twice-weekly iron therapy with 5 mg elemental iron as ferrous sulfate per kilogram of body weight accompanied by nutritional counseling was as effective as daily iron therapy in correcting iron-deficiency anemia in 2- to 6-year-old children under the clinical conditions of this study.

Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Public Health Problem of Global Proportions

“…The majority of supplementation studies to date have examined a variety of treatments in women of reproductive age, as infants, preschool and school-aged children (Preziosi et al, 1997;Faqih et al, 2006, Mumtaz et al 2000Menendez et al 1997;Suharno et al 1993;Schultink et al 1995;Berger et al 1997;Viteri, 1997). It is becoming increasingly clear that a main target group for iron supplementation in the developing world should be all women of reproductive age, regardless of pregnancy status at the time, thereby ensuring adequate iron reserves for both the mother and fetus during pregnancy and lactation .…”

“…Prevention and control is typically achieved through iron fortification of food staples like flour, rice, and pasta, and/or through administration of iron supplements most often in iron pill or, more recently sprinkle form (Baltussen et al, 2004;Faqih et al, 2006;Mumtaz et al 2000;. Although iron supplements are widely available and fortified foods constitute a major component of the diet in the developed world, access is limited in the developing world and cost if often prohibitive.…”

Daily and every other day use of iron prophylaxis in the first year of life

“…Bu olumsuz etkilerden korunmak için 4 ay-1 yafl aras› bebeklere koruyucu dozda demir verilmesi gerekti¤i önerilmektedir (5). Bu dönemde koruyucu demir genelde günlük uygulanmakla beraber, günafl›r› veya haftal›k verilmesi ile ilgili literatürde az say›da çal›flma vard›r (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12).…”

“…Haftal›k koruyucu demir verilmesi ile ilgili bir çal›flma henüz yok, ancak tedavi amaçl› haftal›k demir tedavileriyle ilgili az say›da çal›flmada olumlu sonuçlar bildirilmifltir (20)(21)(22). Ankara Dr. Sami Ulus Çocuk Hastanesi'nde Tavil ve ark.…”

“…Demir eksikli¤i anemisi tedavisinde haftal›k tedavi yönte-minin baz› hematolojik de¤iflkenler üzerine daha etkili oldu¤u saptanm›flt›r. Ancak koruyucu demir verilmesinin gün afl›r› veya haftal›k verilmesiyle ilgili az say›da ve s›n›rl› say›da bebekle çal›flmalar bulunmaktad›r (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Bizim yapt›¤›m›z çal›flma günlük koruyucu doz verilmesi yerine gün afl›r› koruma da verilebilece¤i tezini desteklemektedir.…”