Iron Biofortified Pearl Millet Improves Iron Status in Indian School Children: Results of a Feeding Trial

Objective To examine the effects of an iron biofortified pearl millet intervention on iron status in children. Methods 246 children (11–18 y) were enrolled in a randomized trial of an iron biofortified pearl millet intervention (vs. control pearl millet), daily for a 6 month period in India. Iron status (hemoglobin, ferritin, sTfR), inflammation (CRP, AGP), and anthropometric indices were determined at enrolment, 3, and 6 months. Linear and binomial regression models were used to evaluate the effect of the intervention on iron status in children. Results 43.6% of children were iron deficient (serum ferritin <15.0 μg/L) and 27.9% were anemic (Hb <12.0 g/dL) at baseline. After 3 months there was an overall effect of the iron biofortified pearl millet intervention on serum ferritin in previously iron deficient subjects. Also, the intervention resolved 65% of iron deficiency in children, and was associated with a two‐fold increase in the likelihood of resolving iron deficiency at 6 months (RR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.15–3.27; P=0.01). Conclusions Supplementation with iron biofortified pearl millet significantly resolved iron deficiency in children within 6 months. Funding Source: Harvest Plus