Intermittent Iron Folate Supplementation : Impact on Hematinic Status and Growth of School Girls

In view of high iron needs for adolescent growth, this paper studied the impact of daily vs. intermittent (once and twice weekly) iron folic acid (IFA) supplementation on hemoglobin levels and pubertal growth among primary school girls in early adolescence (9–13 years) of Vadodara, India. Methods. Hemoglobin (Hb), height and weight of the girls were assessed using standard methods. In three experimental schools (ES) IFA tablets in a dose of 100 mg Fe+0.5 mg folic acid was given either daily, once weekly or twice weekly for one year. The fourth school (control: CS) did not receive any intervention. Results. Hb levels significantly improved (P