When to start supplementary iron to prevent iron deficiency in early childhood in sub-Saharan Africa setting.

Background: To study the efficacy of oral ferrous fumarate, an inexpensive, readily available preparation on iron deficiency in infants in Africa.

Procedure: Four months old (group 1, n = 252) and 6-18 months old (group 2, n = 360) healthy infants attending four primary health care centers (PHC) for vaccination/well-child visits in Benin were studied. Ninety-six pregnant women (PW) over 36 weeks gestational age attending the same PHC during the study period were also studied.

Effect of a comprehensive clinical care program on disease course in severely ill children with sickle cell anemia in a sub-Saharan African setting.

Clinical severity of sickle cell anemia (SS) in Africa may not be solely determined by genetic factors. This study evaluated the effects of intensive parental education and adequate clinical care on the course of SS in children in Benin. SS children referred to the National Teaching Hospital in Cotonou were included in the study.