Iron Supplementation to Reduce Preschoolers Anemia: Comparison Between Intermittent and Cyclic Procedure

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of iron supplements given at intervals corresponding to the mean life of red blood cells compared to weekly supplementation, in reducing the prevalence of preschool anemia. Method: Ninety-nine children from public day care centers with ages from 24 to 59 months old were randomly divided into two groups. All the children received 40 doses of 30 mg of ferrous sulfate during a 10-month intervention period. Group 1 received once weekly supplementation and Group 2 received supplementation in two 5-month cycles, each cycle consisting of one month of supplementation (20 workdays) and four months without supplementation.