Hematinic supplementation and hematological status of underprivileged school girls (8–15 YRS of age)

Abstract

Effect of hematinic dosing with FeSO 4 (60 mg elemental iron), for 60 days at a stretch, twice in a school year on the hematological status was investigated. Eightythree pairs of subjects initially matched for age, Hb status, dietary energy, proteins, iron and ascorbic acid intakes were randomly assigned to either the treatment or placebo group. Data were collected four months apart at baseline (0 month); mid evaluation (4th month); final evaluation (8th month); and post final evaluation (12th month), following a withdrawal of inputs. Prevalence of anemia was near universal (90% by WHO norm of 12 g/dl) prior to supplementation and was reduced to 30% after two prophylactic treatments at the 8th month. Further, RCM examination at the initiation of the study, indicated that anemia was primarily of iron deficiency origin. Mean Hb values of the hematinic supplemented group rose from 10.28±0.14 g/dl at 0 mth, to 11.61±0.14 g/dl at 4th month, to 12.33±0.09 g/dl at 8th month and dropped to 10.66± 0.12 g/dl at 12th month evaluation. For the placebo group the values remained practically stationary at baseline values. Comparative iron status values measured by serum iron, total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation for hematinic treated and placebo group subjects at 8th month were 87.93 vs 59.17 mcg/dl; 388.03 vs 435.33 mcg/dl; 23.36 vs 14.47% respectively. Results indicated that the prophylactic dose and dosing schedule improved the hematological status of underprivileged school girls.