Role of Low Amount of Iron Intake from Groundwater for Prevention of Anemia in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh, groundwater, the principal source of drinking water, contains predominantly high levels of iron. Drinking groundwater is associated with good iron status in populations. Against this backdrop, iron supplementation is often associated with side effects, which reduces its intake compliance.

Thalassemia carrier status and groundwater iron: Implication for iron supplementation program for children in Bangladesh.

Background: Thalassemia, a congenital disorder of hemoglobin synthesis is characterized by low hemoglobin and high iron status, is prevalent in Bangladesh. Iron, consumed through drinking groundwater also increases the population iron status in Bangladesh. The study examined the effect of iron containing micronutrient powder (MNP) on the hemoglobin and ferritin status in Bangladeshi children with thalassemia and their non-thalassemia peers exposed to a high concentration of iron from drinking groundwater.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Vitamin B Deficiency among Pregnant Women in Rural Bangladesh.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes. However, data on vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnant Bangladeshi women are limited. This study examines vitamin B12 deficiency and marginal deficiency in rural Bangladeshi women during early and late pregnancies.

Effect of low-iron micronutrient powder (MNP) on the composition of gut microbiota of Bangladeshi children in a high-iron groundwater setting: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Adverse effects of iron fortification/supplements such as Micronutrient Powder (MNP) on gut microbiota have previously been found in infection-prone African settings. This study examined the adversaries of a low-iron MNP compared with the standard MNP on the composition of gut microbiota in Bangladeshi children exposed to a high concentration of iron from potable groundwater.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2- to 5-year-old children, drinking groundwater with a high concentration of iron (≥ 2 mg/L).

Prevalence and Predictors of Vitamin D Deficiency and Insufficiency among Pregnant Rural Women in Bangladesh.

Although adequate vitamin D status during pregnancy is essential for maternal health and to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes, limited data exist on vitamin D status and associated risk factors in pregnant rural Bangladeshi women. This study determined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, and identified associated risk factors, among these women. A total of 515 pregnant women from rural Bangladesh, gestational age ≤ 20 weeks, participated in this cross-sectional study.

Effect of routine iron-folic acid supplementation among rural pregnant women living in low- and high-groundwater-iron areas in Bangladesh.

Objective: The present study investigated the risks and benefits of routine Fe-folic acid (IFA) supplementation in pregnant women living in low- and high-groundwater-Fe areas in Bangladesh.

Design: A case-controlled prospective longitudinal study design was used to compare the effect of daily Fe (60 mg) and folic acid (400 μg) supplementation for 3·5 months.

Setting: A rural community in Bangladesh.

Anemia and iron deficiency in rural Bangladeshi pregnant women living in areas of high and low iron in groundwater.

Background: Recent studies found a low rate of iron deficiency in Bangladeshi non-pregnant and non-lactating women. This was attributed to high iron concentrations in drinking water. However, there are limited data on iron deficiency among pregnant women in Bangladesh.

Effect of long-term intermittent supplementation with multiple micronutrients compared with iron-and-folic acid supplementation on Hb and micronutrient status of non-anaemic adolescent schoolgirls in rural Bangladesh.

The present study examined whether long-term supplementation with once- and twice-weekly multiple micronutrients (MMN-1 and MMN-2) can improve Hb and micronutrient status more than twice-weekly Fe-folic acid (IFA-2) supplementation in non-anaemic adolescent girls in Bangladesh. An equal number of 324 rural schoolgirls aged 11-17 years were given MMN-1 or MMN-2 or IFA-2 supplements for 52 weeks in a randomised, double-blind trial. Blood samples were collected at baseline, and at 26 and 52 weeks of supplementation.

Long-term intermittent multiple micronutrient supplementation enhances hemoglobin and micronutrient status more than iron + folic acid supplementation in Bangladeshi rural adolescent girls with nutritional anemia.

Previous short-term supplementation studies showed no additional hematologic benefit of multiple micronutrients (MMN) compared with iron + folic acid (IFA) in adolescent girls. This study examines whether long-term once- or twice-weekly supplementation of MMN can improve hemoglobin (Hb) and micronutrient status more than twice-weekly IFA supplementation in anemic adolescent girls in Bangladesh. Anemic girls (n = 324) aged 11-17 y attending rural schools were given once- or twice-weekly MMN or twice-weekly IFA, containing 60 mg iron/dose in both supplements, for 52 wk in a randomized double-blind trial.

Efficacy of twice-weekly multiple micronutrient supplementation for improving the hemoglobin and micronutrient status of anemic adolescent schoolgirls in Bangladesh.

Background: Although iron deficiency is a major cause of anemia, other micronutrient deficiencies may also play a role.

Objective: We examined whether multiple micronutrient supplementation is more efficacious than is supplementation with iron and folic acid alone for improving the hemoglobin and iron status of anemic adolescent girls in Bangladesh.

Design: Anemic (hemoglobin < 12.

Physical status, nutrient intake and dietary pattern of adolescent female factory workers in urban Bangladesh.

This cross-sectional study examined the physical status, nutrient intake and dietary pattern of adolescent female factory workers in urban Bangladesh. A total of 1211 postmenarchial girls aged 14-19 y from seventeen readymade garment industries spread over the Dhaka City participated in the study. Body weight, height and skin fold thickness were measured for all subjects.