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Considerations for the safe and effective use of iron interventions in areas of malaria burden
Author(s) -
Namaste Sorrel,
Raiten Daniel
Publication year - 2009
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.23.1_supplement.lb445
Subject(s) - malaria , psychological intervention , context (archaeology) , hepcidin , medicine , iron deficiency , iron status , intensive care medicine , environmental health , pediatrics , anemia , immunology , nursing , geography , archaeology
Objective A technical report is presented that addresses key elements affecting the safe and efficacious use of iron in areas of malaria burden. Methods The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) assembled a Technical Working Group (TWG) to draft a report as part of a larger NICHD/Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation project. The report consists of 1) mechanisms of iron adverse effects in the context of malaria 2) biomarkers of iron exposure, status and function 3) safety and effectiveness of iron interventions. Results Research priorities identified by the TWG in the three core areas and presented in the context of malaria included: 1) clarification of the relative roles of plasma unbound iron; hepcidin; iron deficiency; and the interaction between iron and immune function. 2) adapt serum transferrin receptor/ferritin ratio for use in resource‐limited settings; refine iron assessment during infection; and improve methods to evaluate iron status in pregnancy and children <1yr. 3) establish the relative safety of iron delivered via various systems (e.g., fortification (home/manufactured), supplements, or slow release systems). Conclusions This report will be used to guide a consultative process, lead by the World Health Organization, to revise existing guidelines for iron interventions.