European journal of clinical nutrition
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The effect of a school-based iron intervention on the haemoglobin concentration of school children in north-west Pakistan.
To assess the effectiveness of iron supplements administered to school children through a longitudinal school health intervention in terms of child haemoglobin concentration and anaemia prevalence. ⋯ Once-weekly and twice-weekly iron supplements were not associated with significant increases in haemoglobin concentration compared with unsupplemented children. In all groups, baseline haemoglobin concentration was the strongest predictor of haemoglobin increase. The lack of improvement may stem from the moderate baseline prevalence of anaemia (33%); other micronutrient deficiencies; variable compliance; or the worsening of haemoglobin status owing to seasonal changes in dietary iron and other nutrients.