Guts, Germs, and Iron: A Systematic Review on Iron Supplementation, Iron Fortification, and Diarrhea in Children Aged 4-59 Months.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The impact of iron supplements and iron fortification on diarrhea in children is controversial, with some studies reporting an increase and others reporting no effect.

Objective

The aim of the study was systematically assess the published literature on oral iron supplementation and fortification to evaluate its impact on diarrhea incidence among children aged 4-59 mo.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials of oral iron supplementation or iron fortification that reported diarrheal outcomes in children aged 4-59 mo were identified from a systematic search of 5 databases.

Results

Of the 906 records identified, 19 studies were found to fit the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. However, variable case definitions for diarrhea made meta-analysis

SUBMITTER: Ghanchi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6416531 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature