Table 3 Summary of results for iron fortification in children
From: Micronutrient fortification of food and its impact on woman and child health: a systematic review
Outcome/quality of evidence | Combined effect | Population | Age groups | Country | Fortificant type | Food vehicle | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
General/healthy population (studies/ participants) | Deficient population | Infants | Preschool and school- going children | Low- and lower middle income countries | Upper middle- and higher-income countries | Ferrous sulfate | NaFeEDTA | Processed food | Staples | Condiments | ||
Hemoglobin levels | SMD: 0.55 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.76) | SMD: 0.50 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.71) | SMD: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.19, 1.38) | SMD: 0.81 (95% CI: 0.31, 1.31) | SMD: 0.46 (95% CI: 0.24, 0.67) | SMD: 0.32 (95% CI: 0.14, 0.50) | SMD: 0.67 (95% CI: 0.36, 0.97) | SMD: 0.50 (95% CI: 0.14, 0.86) | SMD: 0.76 (95% CI: 0.06, 1.47) | SMD: 0.55 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.82) | SMD: 0.44 (95% CI: 0.10, 0.79) | SMD: 1.14 (95% CI: -0.09, 2.37) |
Quality of evidence: Moderate | Â | 25 studies 5,083 participants | 6 studies 1,184 participants | 12 studies 1,834 participants | 16 studies 3,832 participants | 10 studies 1,937 participants | 20 studies 4,176 participants | 9 studies 1,076 participants | 6 studies 1,172 participants | 18 studies 3,317 participants | 8 studies 1,941 participants | 3 studies 705 participants |
Serum ferritin levels | SMD: 0.91 (95% CI: 0.38, 1.44) | SMD: 0.63 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.98) | SMD: 1.37 (95% CI: 0.01, 2.74) | SMD: 0.63 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.98) | SMD: 1.37 (95% CI: 0.01, 2.74) | SMD: 1.37 (95% CI: 0.01, 2.74) | SMD: 0.68 (95% CI: 0.49, 0.87) | SMD: 0.84 (95% CI: 0.60, 1.09) | SMD: 1.83 (95% CI: -0.08, 3.73) | SMD: 0.66 (95% CI: 0.36, 0.97) | SMD: 0.48 (95% CI: 0.17, 0.78) | SMD: 2.80 (95% CI: 2.43, 3.17) |
Quality of evidence: Moderate | Â | 4 studies 952 participants | 3 studies 555 participants | 4 studies 952 participants | 3 studies 555 participants | 3 studies 555 participants | 3 studies 547 participants | 3 studies 539 participants | 2 studies 385 participants | 5 studies 1,097 participants | 1 study 170 participants | 1 study 240 participants |
Effect on anemia | RR: 0.55 (95% CI: 0.42, 0.72) | RR: 0.64 (95% CI: 0.50, 0.82) | RR: 0.23 (95% CI: 0.04, 1.25) | RR: 0.42 (95% CI: 0.24, 0.72) | RR: 0.60 (95% CI: 0.43, 0.84) | RR: 0.91 (95% CI: 0.72, 1.14) | RR: 0.41 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.61) | RR: 0.52 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.79) | RR: 0.46 (95% CI: 0.17, 1.23) | RR: 0.46 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.76) | RR: 0.81 (95% CI: 0.60, 1.10) | RR: 0.12 (95% CI: 0.01, 2.16) |
Quality of evidence: Moderate | Â | 15 studies 3,096 participants | 3 studies 555 participants | 6 studies 1,234 participants | 10 studies 2,013 participants | 6 studies 1,171 participants | 11 studies 2,396 participants | 4 studies 630 participants | 4 studies 800 participants | 10 studies 1,617 participants | 5 studies 1,312 participants | 2 studies 568 participants |