Journal article

The Effect of Intermittent Antenatal Iron Supplementation on Maternal and Infant Outcomes in Rural Viet Nam: A Cluster Randomised Trial

S Hanieh, TT Ha, JA Simpson, GJ Casey, NC Khuong, DD Thoang, TT Thuy, SR Pasricha, TD Tran, T Tuan, T Dwyer, J Fisher, BA Biggs

Plos Medicine | KARGER | Published : 2013

Abstract

Background:Anemia affects over 500 million women, and in pregnancy is associated with impaired maternal and infant outcomes. Intermittent antenatal iron supplementation is an attractive alternative to daily dosing; however, the impact of this strategy on infant outcomes remains unclear. We compared the effect of intermittent antenatal iron supplementation with daily iron supplementation on maternal and infant outcomes in rural Viet Nam.Methods and Findings:This cluster randomised trial was conducted in Ha Nam province, Viet Nam. 1,258 pregnant women (<16 wk gestation) in 104 communes were assigned to daily iron-folic acid (IFA), twice weekly IFA, or twice weekly multiple micronutrient (MMN) ..

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