The effect of riboflavin on the hematologic changes in iron supplementation of schoolchildren

Abstract

A supplementation trial was carried out in 101 children, 6-12 years of age, in 3 primary schools in a rural area. Their hemoglobin level and PCV (mean±SD) were 11.64±1.21 g/dl and 0.356±0.028 respectively, 74% of them were anemic and the hemoglobin level were correlated with the MCHC (P < .01). 51% of them had hookworm infection and all those with hemoglobin levels below 10 g/dl had hookworm infection, but there was no difference in mean hemoglobin level between those with hookworm infection and those without. The children were divided into 3 groups: Group I comprising 39 children who received placebo tablets; Group II of 33, who received ferrous sulphate (60 mg elemental iron); Group III of 29, who received ferrous sulphate (60 mg elemental iron) with riboflavin (6 mg). Each child received one tablet after lunch on schooldays and evaluation was carried out after receiving 80 to 90 tablets. The mean hemoglobin change of Group II was 0.60 g/dl larger then that of Group I (P < .005) with 52% of them responding to iron. The mean hemoglobin change of Group III was 0.38 g/dl larger than that of Group II (P < .005) with 86% of them responding to iron and riboflavin. Thus additional riboflavin is beneficial in iron supplementation.