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Efficacy of iron folic acid tablets vs. a powdered mixture of mineral and vitamins to control anemia during pregnancy
Author(s) -
Hyder Ziauddin,
Choudhury Nuzhat,
Zlotkin Stanley
Publication year - 2008
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.22.1_supplement.678.19
Subject(s) - medicine , folic acid , anemia , pregnancy , iron supplement , randomized controlled trial , gestational age , hemoglobin , zoology , iron deficiency , genetics , biology
A powdered mixture of mineral and vitamins (PMV) in a small sachet, Sprinkles™, is effective in controlling anemia in young children. A similar mixture targeted to pregnant women might be appropriate. Objective: To determine the efficacy of a PMV packaged in single serving sachets compared to IFA in pregnant women. Method: A cluster randomized trial was carried out in 42 antenatal care centers operated by BRAC in Bangladesh. Anemic women aged 15–45 years, gestational age 14–20 weeks and Hb 70–110 g/L were allocated to either tablets (n=92) or PMV (n=121). Each tablet and PMV sachet contained 60mg elemental iron and 400μg folic acid. Data collection was done at baseline and at gestational weeks 24, 28 and 34. Hb was measured using HemoCue ® . Adherence was assessed by counting the number of sachets or tablets consumed. Results: Hb did not differ significantly between the tablet and PMV groups at 24 and 28 weeks. However, at week 32, mean Hb was higher in tablet (110.2 g/L, SD 11.1) compared to PMV group (105.6 g/L, SD 11.1) (P<0.05). At week 32, mean percent adherence was 76% in tablet and 58% in PMV group (P<0.05). After controlling for adherence, however, the Hb response did not differ between the groups. Conclusion: Efficacy of iron and folic acid delivered by tablet or PMV in a sachet was comparable when adherence was controlled for.