(P11-026-23) Impact of Duration of Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation on Hemoglobin and Ferritin Levels of Anemic Adolescent Girls Residing in India

Objectives: Anemia as defined by low hemoglobin and iron deficiency as defined by low serum ferritin is prevalent in 40% and 31% of adolescent girls in India, respectively. Currently, iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation is provided for the prevention and treatment of anemia and iron deficiency among adolescents. The present study was conducted to understand the impact of the duration of IFA Supplementation on hemoglobin and ferritin levels of rural adolescent girls residing in India.

Methods: A community-based cluster-randomized trial was conducted among a total of 264 adolescent girls in the age group of 12–19 years with mild and moderate anemia residing in rural block of Haryana, India. Daily supplementation of IFA containing 60 mg elemental iron and 500 mcg folic acid was administered under direct supervision for 100 days. Serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels were assessed at baseline and endline.

Results: IFA supplementation was consumed for 90 days or more (group 1), 60-89 days (group 2) and less than 60 days (group 3) by 25.2% (n=62), 65% (n=160), and 9.8% (n=24) girls, respectively. After adjusting for baseline levels, the partial correlation between number of tablets consumed and increase in hemoglobin (r= 0.133, < 0.05) and serum ferritin (r= 0.1637, < 0.05) at endline, was found to be statistically significant. Anemia alleviated in 54.2% girls in Group 1, 70% in group 2 and 66.1% in group 3 post-intervention. At baseline, low serum ferritin was observed in 25.4% (Group 1: 22.7%, Group 2: 27.8%, Group 3: 20.7%) of the participants. Post-intervention with IFA, sufficient levels of serum ferritin were achieved by 95.2% girls in Group 1 and 96.8% girls in Group 2. Iron deficiency was eliminated in all girls in Group 3.

Conclusions: IFA supplemented daily for 30 days or more can reduce anemia by 50% and iron deficiency by 95%. However, 70% of anemia can be reduced if IFA is provided for 60 days or more. Hence, provision of IFA for longer duration may be an effective strategy to achieve significant reduction in anemia and in building iron stores amongst adolescent girls.

Funding Sources: Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India