This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of weekly iron supplementation with or without vitamin A in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, using an experimental, randomized, non-placebo-controlled design in 1999. 267 schoolchildren 6 to 14 years of age were randomized to two treatment groups: one group (144) received 200mg iron sulfate alone, with 40mg of elemental iron, while the other (123) received the same iron supplementation dose plus 10,000 IU of vitamin A (both groups for 30 weeks). Final anemia prevalence was reduced from 48.4% to 17.7% (p < 0.001) in the group receiving iron supplementation alone and 58.1% to 14.3% (p < 0.001) in the group receiving iron plus vitamin A. There was no significant difference between the groups at the end of the study according to mean Hb (p = 0.355) and anemia (p = 0.479). There was a significant correction for iron deficiency anemia with weekly iron-alone supplementation, but with no additional advantage of vitamin A. New studies on the synergism between these two micronutrients are recommended.
Iron-Deficiency Anemia; Vitamin A; Ferrous Sulfate; Students
