ABSTRACT
A randomized iron and zinc supplementation trial was carried out in Lafia Local
Government, Nasarawa State, Nigeria with a total of 160 children below the age of five
years. They were divided into 4 groups each containing 40 respondents: the Fe-group
received daily and for a 3-month period 10 mg of iron, the Zn-group 10 mg Zinc, the Fe-Zn
group10mg iron + 10mg Zinc and the control group, received no supplement. Serum iron
(SFe) and serum Zinc (SZn), with anthropometry were determined before and at the end of
the intervention. Socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents showed that the female
participants (52%) were more than male (48%), the highest number of household heads
were age 30-39 (50%) while 65.5% of the mothers were between the age range of 21-30
years. Percentage changes in weight, mid upper arm circumference, MUAC, iron and zinc
status were higher in groups supplemented than those that were not. There was a significant
difference (P˂0.05) in SFe among the 36-47 months age group of Fe group. Horizontal
pairs (baseline versus endline) with different superscripts b and a(P<0.05) while pairs with
similar superscripts a and a are not significantly different (P>0.05). Percentage change in
SZn were higher in Zn-group (highest change: 19.10% in female group and 22.36% in male
groups) than in Fe-Zn group (highest % change: 8.45% in male group). However, there was
no significant difference (P˂0.05) in serum concentration and weight in combined Fe & Zn
supplementation. Almost half of the respondents (49.38%) had no knowledge of
micronutrient supplements yet 57% caregivers who knew the importance of micronutrient
supplements do not give their children. There was significant difference (P˂0.05) in
MUAC- for- age as a result of iron supplementation in females of age group less than
11months while Zn supplementation recorded significant difference (P˂0.05) in males and
females of age group 11 - 23 months. Iron and zinc supplementation recovered 12.5%
severely wasted respondents in Fe- group, and reduce acute wasting by 10% in Zn- group.
In conclusion, this study revealed that iron and zinc supplementation recorded a significant
difference (P˂0.05) in iron and zinc status and that single iron and zinc supplement
increased weight.