Efficacy Study of the Consumption of Iron Fortified Milk on the Iron Nutritional Status of Children in Morocco

OBJECTIVES: Iron deficiency constitutes a major public health problem in Morocco. In line with the National Strategy for Nutrition 2011 – 2019, we undertook a double-blinded longitudinal efficacy study of consumption of iron fortified milk on iron status of children living in rural region at high altitude METHODS: Children (n = 380), aged 7 to 9 years, living under normal conditions and without preliminary deworming, were divided in two groups: a non fortified group (NFG) received 200 ml of non fortified UHT milk and a fortified group (FG) received 200ml UHT milk fortified with iron sulfate to cover 30% of RDA. Clinical assessment, anthropometry, morbidity, alimentary and socioeconomic surveys, blood samples collection and cognitive tests (Raven test) were performed at baseline (T0), 4 months (T4) and 9 months (T9). Hemoglobin was estimated in situ by Hemocue device, ferritine and CRP were assessed in serum. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia (Hb<11,5 g/dl), for the FG was 2,6% at baseline and 0% at T9. For the NFG, it was 3,4% at baseline and 1,8% at T9. At T9 FG showed a reduction of iron deficiency (serum ferritine<12 μg/L) from 50% to 36,4%. Cognitive tests showed no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The milk is a good vehicle for iron fortification, there was a reduction of Iron Deficiency in FG and no change in NFG.