Effects of daily iron supplementation in primary-school-aged children: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Anemia is an important public health and clinical problem. Observational studies have linked iron deficiency and anemia in children with many poor outcomes, including impaired cognitive development; however, iron supplementation, a widely used preventive and therapeutic strategy, is associated with adverse effects. Primary-school-aged children are at a critical stage in intellectual development, and optimization of their cognitive performance could have long-lasting individual and population benefits. In this study, we summarize the evidence for the benefits and safety of daily iron supplementation in primary-school-aged children.

Methods

We searched electronic databases (including MEDLINE and Embase) and other sources (July 2013) for randomized and quasi-randomiz

SUBMITTER: Low M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3832580 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature