Intermittent iron supplementation in preschool and school-age children
It is estimated that worldwide, 600 million preschool and school-age children are anaemic, and it is assumed that at least half of these cases are attributable to iron deficiency. Children are particularly vulnerable to iron deficiency anaemia because of their increased iron requirements in the periods of rapid growth, especially in the first 5 years of life. Iron deficiency anaemia in children has been linked to increased childhood morbidity and impaired cognitive development and school performance.
Supplementation with iron once, twice or three times per week on non-consecutive days has been proposed as an effective and safe way to increase children's iron intake. These intermittent regimens may lead to fewer side effects than the daily regimen and increase adherence to supplementation.
WHO recommendations
In settings where the prevalence of anaemia in preschool (24–59 months) or school-age (5–12 years) children is 20% or higher, intermittent iron supplementation is recommended as a public health intervention in preschool and school-age children to improve iron status and reduce the risk of anaemia.
Additional information, including a suggested scheme for supplementation, can be found in the guidance summary, and in the guideline under 'WHO documents' below.
WHO documents
GRC-approved guidelines
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Intermittent iron supplementation in preschool and school-age children
Publication date: 2011
Evidence
Systematic reviews used to develop the guidelines
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Intermittent iron supplementation for improving nutrition and development in children under 12 years of age
De-Regil LM, Jefferds MED, Sylvetsky AC, Dowswell T.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2011; Issue 12. Art. No.: CD009085. - Summary of this review
Related systematic reviews
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Effects of iron supplementation in nonanemic pregnant women, infants, and young children on the mental performance and psychomotor development of children: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Szajewska H, Ruszczynski M, Chmielewska A.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2010; 91(6):1684–1690. -
Effect of iron supplementation on haemoglobin response in children: systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Gera T, Sachdev HPS, Nestel P, Sachdev SS.
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition. 2007; 44(4):468–486. -
Effect of iron supplementation on physical growth in children: systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Sachdev HPS, Gera T, Nestel P.
Public Health Nutrition. 2006; 9:904–920.