Effect of wheat flour fortified with sodium iron EDTA on urinary zinc excretion in school-aged children.

Background: Foods fortified with sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetate (NaFeEDTA) have been shown to improve iron status in children, but little is known about the effect of this salt on urinary zinc excretion, particularly in children. This is particularly relevant, since zinc deficiency is known to limit growth and development in young children.

Objective: To determine the effect of NaFeEDTA-fortified wheat flour on urinary zinc excretion.

Methods: This study was a part of a randomized, controlled trial that was carried out among 6- to 13-year-old iron-depleted schoolchildren (n = 179) who had received either a NaFeEDTA-fortified wheat meal (iron group) or an identical control meal without added iron (control group) for a period of 7 months. Urinary zinc concentration was assessed at the end of the intervention period by spot urine samples.

Results: Iron status in the iron group was significantly improved according to measurements of hemoglobin and serum ferritin (p < .001). However, there was no significant difference in urinary zinc excretion between the iron group (median, 38.4 microg/dL; 25th-75th percentiles, 18.2-67.1 microg/dL) and the control group (median, 33.1 microg/dL; 25th-75th percentiles, 12.4-54.2 microg/dL).

Conclusions: Iron fortification of foods with NaFeEDTA does not affect urinary zinc excretion in children.