Premium
Effects on Hemoglobin Concentrations in Guatemalan Women Receiving Weekly versus Daily Iron Folic Acid Supplementations with and without Zinc
Author(s) -
Nguyen Phuong,
Grajeda Ruben,
Melgar Paul,
Marcinkevage Jessica,
Flores Rafael,
Martorell Reynaldo
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a679-a
Subject(s) - micronutrient , zinc , medicine , anemia , hemoglobin , folic acid , zinc deficiency (plant disorder) , zoology , physiology , chemistry , biology , organic chemistry , pathology
Reproductive age women are at high risk for micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron and zinc. Multiple nutrient supplementation is an important public health strategy because deficiencies often coexist. The objectives of this study were to investigate the efficacy of weekly versus daily iron folic supplementation (Fe‐FA) on hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations and examine the effect of adding zinc to these supplements. 460 reproductive‐age women were recruited and randomly assigned to receive weekly Fe‐FA alone; weekly Fe‐FA with 15 mg zinc; daily Fe‐FA alone and daily Fe‐FA with 2.5 mg zinc for 4 months. Hb was measured with Hemocue before and after the intervention. Hb was adjusted for high altitude. Baseline characteristics were similar across groups. The overall Hb concentration was 13.8 ±1.6 and 13% were anemic. After intervention, no differences in Hb status were found by supplement type, but Hb changes were related to initial Hb status. Women with anemia (Hb<12 g/dL) showed significant increases in Hb concentration (3.1 g/L). Among anemic women, the addition of zinc to daily Fe‐FA supplements resulted in lower increases in Hb levels. Daily Fe‐FA supplements without zinc were more efficacious than weekly Fe‐FA supplements without zinc in improving Hb in anemic women. In conclusion, anemic women respond to supplementation with iron, whether daily or weekly or with or without zinc. However, daily is more efficacious than weekly and adding zinc lowers efficacy.