Assessment of Drinking Water Fortification with Iron Plus Ascorbic Acid or Ascorbic Acid Alone in Daycare Centers as a Strategy to Control Iron-Deficiency Anemia and Iron Deficiency: A Randomized Blind Clinical Study

Abstract

Objective: Assess drinking water fortification with iron and/or ascorbic acid as a strategy to control iron-deficiency anemia and iron deficiency. Methods: Randomized blind clinical study, fortifying drinking water to 153 pre-school children during 3 months, with iron and ascorbic acid (A), ascorbic acid (B) or plain water (C). Hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and ferritin were measured. Results: Within the groups, Hb raised in all three groups, MCV in A and B and ferritin in A. The difference between time points 0 and 1 was significant between A and B for Hb, when A and B were compared with C for MCV and when A was compared with either B or C for ferritin. Conclusions: Water fortification is efficient in controlling iron deficiency and anemia. Iron stores’ recovery depends on a more effective offer of iron. Water fortification must be preceded by a careful assessment of the previous nutritional status.