Is Iron Supplementation Influenced by Sub-Clinical Inflammation?: A Randomized Controlled Trial Among Adolescent Schoolgirls in Myanmar

• DOI: 10.3390/nu11040918
• Publication Date: 2019-04-25T07:02:59Z
• Authors: Min Kyaw Htet; Umi Fahmida; Drupadi Dillon; Arwin Akib; Budi Utomo; David Thurnham
• Keywords: Inflammation; 0303 health sciences; Adolescent; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Iron; Nutritional Status; Myanmar; sub-clinical inflammation; anemia; Article; 3. Good health; Hemoglobins; 03 medical and health sciences; iron deficiency; Dietary Supplements; Ferritins; Humans; Female

Iron absorption was impaired in the presence of sub-clinical inflammation (SCI) and might hamper the effect of iron supplementation. The purpose of the study was to identify the influence of SCI on iron supplementation. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled experimental study was conducted among anaemic adolescent schoolgirls in Ayeyarwady region, Myanmar. A total of 402 schoolgirls were recruited from six schools screened from 1269 girls who were assigned into one of four groups: Folate group (2.5 mg of folate), Vitamin A group (15,000 IU of vitamin), Iron folate group (60 mg elemental iron and folate) and Iron, and vitamin A and folate group. Supplementation was done once a week for 12 weeks. Iron, vitamin A and inflammation were measured at the baseline, middle and endline. Changes in serum ferritin and body iron were significantly higher in the IFA and IFA + vitA among those without SCI. There was interaction between vitamin A and SCI on Hb changes. Analysis of GLM repeated measure showed interactions between treatment and SCI for hemoglobin and serum transferrin receptor. Those treated with vitamin A had better outcomes when there was SCI. Inflammation accompanied a negative effect on iron supplementation and vitamin A improved efficacy of iron supplementation in the presence of SCI.