Effect of Black Dates on Iron Deficiency Anemia of Orphanage Children

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia represents a major public health problem, particularly in infants, young children and pregnant women. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate the effect of black dates on children suffering from iron deficiency anemia living in orphanage. Forty male children (9-11years) were divided into four equal groups. Non-anemic group, anemic groups include positive control group, date with hulls group and date without hulls group (ingested100g black dates daily for 8 weeks). The energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat, fiber, vitamins and minerals intake of non-anemic and anemic groups compared with Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) were evaluated. The anthropometric measurements and hematological parameters during the experiment period were also evaluated. Anemic groups did not consume enough protein however; energy and fiber were approximately similar to the DRI values. Non-anemic group and anemic groups had lower thiamin, vitamin A, vitamin E, calcium and phosphorus intake than DRI values. Iron and zinc was higher in non-anemic group compared with DRI values while anemic groups had an opposite trend. Date without hulls group had higher weight and body mass index than non-anemic group and date with hulls group. Hemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, serum iron, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation in black date groups were increased by increasing the experiment period while total iron binding capacity had an opposite trend. Date without hulls group was more effective than date with hulls group in improving serum iron, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation and total iron binding capacity.