Table 3.
Change in parameters following iron therapy
| Parameters | Timing (from enrolment) | Received iron supplements | Iron supplement not received | p |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin (g/dl) | Baseline | 10.4 | 12.0 | 0.003* |
| 3 months | 10.9 | 12.0 | 0.04* | |
| 1 year | 11.3 | 11.9 | 0.2 | |
| Weight-for-age Z score | Baseline | −2.2 | −1.9 | 0.08 |
| 1 year | −1.9 | −1.8 | 0.2 | |
| Height-for-age Z score | Baseline | −1.6 | −1.5 | 0.2 |
| 1 year | −1.3 | −1.7 | 0.05 | |
| CD4% | Baseline | 21.0 | 20.5 | 0.6 |
| 1 year | 26.5 | 26.0 | 0.7 | |
| Prevalence of advanced WHO clinical stage (Stage 3, 4) (%) | Baseline | 25.7 | 16.7 | 0.04* |
| 1 year | 10.9 | 12.5 | 1.0 | |
| Fe deficiency prevalence (STfR/lf) >1.5) (%) | Baseline | 68.1 | 62.7 | 0.04* |
| 1 year | 49.2 | 58.0 | 1.0 | |
| Chronic inflammation (CRP > 1) (%) | Baseline | 62.9 | 52.4 | 0.05 |
| 1 year | 57.9 | 40.0 | 0.06 |
Children (n = 194) were followed for one year, and the change in parameters are compared between those who received and did not short-course iron supplementation
WHO World Health Organization, sTfR/lf soluble transferrin receptor-log ferritin index, CRP C-reactive protein
* refers to statistical significance at a level or p > 0.05