Multi-micronutrients Not Better Than Iron, Folic Acid Alone, For Anemia

QUEENSLAND, Australia--Administration of a multi-micronutrient supplement did not improve the hemoglobin and iron status of anemic girls more efficaciously than supplementation with iron and folic acid alone, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (82, 4:829-35, 2005).

In the double blind study, 197 anemic girls (aged 14 to 18 years) with hemoglobin counts of less than12.0 g/dL were randomized to receive twice-weekly supplements of iron and folic acid (IFA group) or multiple micronutrients (15 micronutrients, including iron and folic acid; MMN group) for 12 weeks. Although both groups benefited from supplementation, mean changes in hemoglobin and serum ferritin concentrations were not significantly different between groups. However, girls given multiple micronutrients (MMN) had significantly greater increases in mean serum vitamin A, vitamin C, red blood cell folic acid and riboflavin compared with the IFA group.

The researchers concluded twice-weekly multi-micronutrient supplementation for 12 weeks significantly improved the status of the micronutrients assessed but was not more efficacious than supplementation with iron and folic acid alone in improving the hematologic status of anemic adolescent girls, and noted more frequent doses may be needed to achieve full benefit.

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