Effect of iron and vitamin supplementation on iron profile of anemic adolescent girls

Abstract

The study entitled, "Effect of iron and vitamin supplementation on iron profile of anemic adolescent girls", was conducted to assess the magnitude of iron deficiency anemia among adolescent girls; to find out the direct and indirect effects of causative factors and to evaluate the relative effect of supplementation of iron with vitamins on the iron status of anemic adolescent females. The study was limited to Neyyattinkara, Nedumangadu and Trivandurn Taluks of Trivandrum district. Rapid assessment technique was administered to determine haemoglobin and to indentify 225 adolescent girls suffering from iron deficiency anemia (with Hb ::::;; 12g1dl). Socio economic status of the girls was determined by using a suitably structured schedule while nutritional variables responsible for the incidence of anemia were determined through assessing their mean food intake by 24 hour recall method and by ascertaining their anthropometric measurements using universally accepted techniques. Clinical examination was conducted to assess the health variables responsible for iron deficiency anemia. A metabolic experiment of two months duration was conducted to find the effect of iron and vitamin supplementation on iron profile of the moderately anemic girls. For this, the basal diet which gave RDA of nutrients was supplemented by 60 mg iron and 500 ug folic acid, 600 /-lg equivalent vitamin A, 1.2 mg equivalent vitamin B~ and ~ 40 mg equivalent vitamin C in different treatment groups either in the form of tablets

351 Supplements in the form of tablets produced highest and rapid changes in haematological and iron profile while the greatest positive changes in growth and physical endurance were observed when the supplements were given in the form of food. Hence for proper iron nutriture, iron source with high bioavailable iron is necessary along with balanced intake of other nutrients.