Intermittent iron supplementation in Chinese preschool children is efficient and safe

Abstract

Iron deficiency in vulnerable groups is widespread in China, and iron supplementation has been an effective targeted measure to control it. However, the current practice of daily dosing frequently causes unfavourable side effects that result in non-compliance. The authors randomly assigned 238 3-6-year-old children attending a kindergarden in Chang-ji City, Xinjiang, of whom 37% were anaemic, to receive 6 mg of iron per kilogram of body weight as FeSO4 daily, twice a week, or weekly under direct supervision for three months. The weekly dose was as effective as the daily dose in controlling anaemia, had insignificant side effects, and avoided temporary iron overload. The twice-weekly dose had no advantages over the weekly dose. -from Authors