COMPARISON OF EFFICACY OF IRON VS. IRON & VITAMIN-A COMBINATION IN IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

Dr Nawal Kapoor; Dr Vinod Singh Tagore

Volume : VI, Issue : XI, November - 2017

COMPARISON OF EFFICACY OF IRON VS. IRON & VITAMIN-A COMBINATION IN IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

Dr Nawal Kapoor, Dr Vinod Singh Tagore

Abstract :

Objectives To compare the efficacy of iron vs. iron and vitamin A combined in the management of iron deficiency anemia in children Methodology The children were allotted either group A or B according to their enrollment number in the study. Group A was the supplemented group and were given iron and vitamin A, while Group B was the placebo group and were given iron and a placebo. The patients were blind with respect to vitamin A and placebo. Results In group A, mean hemoglobin was 8.28 gm% at enrolment and at the end of three months of follow up it was 10.02 gm%. The difference was of 1.74 gm% and range was from -0.6 to 4.8 gm% .In group B mean hemoglobin was 8.45 gm% at the beginning of the study and 10.14 gm% at the end of three months of follow up. The difference was of 1.69 gm% and ranged from 0.1 to 4 gm%. Conclusion. Simultaneous administration of vitamin A along with iron showed a small difference in the rise of hemoglobin in preschool children. Despite intensive efforts by the government and private sector to improve hemoglobin and vitamin A status of children, much more needs to be done. New treatment strategies should be developed which might reduce the duration of oral iron therapy required to treat iron deficiency anemia.