Is untargeted iron supplementation harmful when iron deficiency is not the major cause of anaemia? Study protocol for a double-blind, randomised controlled trial among non-pregnant Cambodian women.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The WHO recommends daily oral iron supplementation for 12 weeks in women and adolescents where anaemia prevalence is greater than 40%. However, if iron deficiency is not a major cause of anaemia, then, at best, untargeted iron supplementation is a waste of resources; at worst, it could cause harm. Further, different forms of iron with varying bioavailability may present greater risks of harm.

Methods and analysis

A 12-week three-arm, double-blind, randomised controlled supplementation trial was conducted in Cambodia to determine if there is potential harm associated with untargeted iron supplementation. We will recruit and randomise 480 non-pregnant women (ages 18-45 years) to receive one of three interventions: 60 mg elemental iron as ferrous sulfate (the stand

SUBMITTER: Fischer JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7430471 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature