Biomedical subjects

Tarun Gera

Publications and source records attributed to Tarun Gera.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Effect of iron supplementation on physical growth in children: systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on physical growth in children through a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases, personal files, and hand search of reviews, bibliographies of books, abstracts and proceedings of international conferences. REVIEW METHODS: RCTs evaluating change in anthropometry with interventions that included oral or parenteral iron supplementation, or iron-fortified formula milk or cereals, were analysed. RESULTS: Twenty-five trials (26 cohorts) had relevant information. There was no evidence of publication bias. The pooled estimates (random effects model) did not document a statistically significant (P>0.05) positive effect of iron supplementation on any anthropometric variable (weight-for-age, weight-for-height, height-for-age, mid upper-arm circumference, skinfold thickness, head circumference). Significant heterogeneity was evident, and its predictors included greater weight-for-age in supplemented children in malaria hyperendemic regions and greater weight-for-height for children above 5 years of age, but a negative effect on linear growth in developed countries and with supplementation for 6 months or longer. CONCLUSIONS: This review did not document a positive effect of iron supplementation on the physical growth of children. The identified predictors of heterogeneity should be considered as exploratory and requiring confirmation, not conclusive.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Effect of iron supplementation on mental and motor development in children: systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on mental and motor development in children through a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases, personal files, hand search of reviews, bibliographies of books, abstracts and proceedings of international conferences. REVIEW METHODS: RCTs with interventions that included oral or parenteral iron supplementation, fortified formula milk or cereals were evaluated. The outcomes studied were mental and motor development scores and various individual development tests employed, including Bayley mental and psychomotor development indices and intelligence quotient. RESULTS: The pooled estimate (random effects model) of mental development score standardised mean difference (SMD) was 0.30 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15 to 0.46, P<0.001; P<0.001 for heterogeneity). Initial anaemia and iron-deficiency anaemia were significant explanatory variables for heterogeneity. The pooled estimate of Bayley Mental Development Index (weighted mean difference) in younger children (<27 months old) was 0.95 (95% CI -0.56 to 2.46, P=0.22; P=0.016 for heterogeneity). For intelligence quotient scores (> or =8 years age), the pooled SMD was 0.41 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.62, P<0.001; P=0.07 for heterogeneity). There was no effect of iron supplementation on motor development score (SMD 0.09, 95% CI -0.08 to 0.26, P=0.28; P=0.028 for heterogeneity). CONCLUSIONS: Iron supplementation improves mental development score modestly. This effect is particularly apparent for intelligence tests above 7 years of age and in initially anaemic or iron-deficient anaemic subjects. There is no convincing evidence that iron treatment has an effect on mental development in children below 27 months of age or on motor development.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Effect of iron supplementation on incidence of infectious illness in children: systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on the incidence of infections in children. DESIGN: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials. DATA SOURCES: 28 randomised controlled trials (six unpublished and 22 published) on 7892 children. INTERVENTIONS: Oral or parenteral iron supplementation or fortified formula milk or cereals. OUTCOMES: Incidence of all recorded infectious illnesses, and individual illnesses, including respiratory tract infection, diarrhoea, malaria, other infections, and prevalence of positive smear results for malaria. RESULTS: The pooled estimate (random effects model) of the incidence rate ratio (iron v placebo) was 1.02 (95% confidence interval 0.96 to 1.08, P=0.54; P<0.0001 for heterogeneity). The incidence rate difference (iron minus placebo) for all recorded illnesses was 0.06 episodes/child year (-0.06 to 0.18, P=0.34; P<0.0001 for heterogeneity). However, there was an increase in the risk of developing diarrhoea (incidence rate ratio 1.11, 1.01 to 1.23, P=0.04), but this would not have an overall important on public health (incidence rate difference 0.05 episodes/child year, -0.03 to 0.13; P=0.21). The occurrence of other illnesses and positive results on malaria smears (adjusted for positive smears at baseline) were not significantly affected by iron administration. On meta-regression, the statistical heterogeneity could not be explained by the variables studied. CONCLUSION: Iron supplementation has no apparent harmful effect on the overall incidence of infectious illnesses in children, though it slightly increases the risk of developing diarrhoea.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗

PubMed2002

Cherry red spot.

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Child↗