Comparison of Iron alone and Zinc Plus Iron Supplementation Effect on the Clinical and Laboratory Features of Children with Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

Background: Childhood Iron deficiency anemia is one of the main health problems around the world especially underdeveloped countries. Supplementation with micronutrients specifically iron supplementation can be considered as a therapeutic strategy to prevent and treatment of this type of anemia. The aim of the present study is to compare the therapeutic effects of zinc plus iron and iron alone supplementation on the clinical and laboratory features of children with iron deficiency anemia referred to our Hospital in 2016. Materials and Methods: 88 patients aged 6 months to 4 years old with iron deficiency anemia and after applying exclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive zinc plus iron sulfate or iron sulfate alone supplement for one month. After treatment, clinical symptoms and lab test data including CBC, TIBC and serum iron and ferritin levels were again evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS15. Results: After one month of treatment, the clinical symptoms relived significantly in both groups. Also, there was significant changes between the mean value of laboratory parameters before and after treatment within each group (P <0.05). However, after one month of treatment there was no significant difference between the two groups (P> 0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed both iron alone and zinc plus iron supplementation are effective on the treatment of iron deficiency anemia but there are no significant difference and preference between these two types of treatment.