Effect of iron supplementation on physical growth in children: systematic review of randomised controlled trials

摘要

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on physical growth in children through a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).Data sourcesElectronic databases, personal files, and hand search of reviews, bibliographies of books, abstracts and proceedings of international conferences.Review methodsRCTs evaluating change in anthropometry with interventions that included oral or parenteral iron supplementation, or iron-fortified formula milk or cereals, were analysed.ResultsTwenty-five trials (26 cohorts) had relevant information. There was no evidence of publication bias. The pooled estimates (random effects model) did not document a statistically significant (P