Loading...
Malaria and iron deficiency are common in Africa, and both adversely affect health, but does iron supplementation improve health outcomes? Earlier trials yielded contradictory results; some found such supplementation to be associated with increased risk for malaria (NEJM JW Infect Dis Jan 27 2006).
To explore the issue further, investigators undertook a double-blind trial of micronutrient supplementation in children aged 6 to 35 months in rural Ghana, where malaria is highly endemic. Children with severe anemia, severe malnutrition, or chronic illness were excluded. Those with malaria, defined as a positive rapid diagnostic test on screening, were given antimalarials. Study participants (N=1958) were cluster randomized to receive micronutrie…