Indian Journal of Medical Sciences Medknow Publications on behalf of Indian Journal of Medical Sciences Trust ISSN: 0019-5359 EISSN: 1998-3654 Vol. 58, Num. 4, 2004, pp. 164-165

Indian Journal of Medical Science Vol. 58 No. 4, April 2004 , pp. 164-165

Letter to Editor

Effect of udad dal and iron syrup on growth and hemoglobin level in rural school children^*

Late J C Patel, Y V Sastikar

Vasava-Datta Foundation, C/o Century Rayon, Murbad Road, Shahad - 421103, India.

Code Number: ms04029

Sir

Iron deficiency (ID) is widely prevalent all over the world, especially in developing countries.^1-3 Socio-economic deprivation contributes significantly to this high prevalence. In children, this deprivation leads to poor growth and development, besides anemia. Protein and iron supplement should improve the situation. However, Maharashtra government provides only rice to primary school children under "Nutritious Food Scheme"; this does not provide sufficient proteins and iron. Therefore, Vasava-Datta Foundation, which runs dispensaries in five villages in Kalyan Taluka, decided to supplement this by additional supply of Udad Dal (to be mixed with rice for preparing `khichadi') and also supply iron syrup, to the school children.

Eighteen students from Ane Village Primary School in Kalyan Taluka were taken up for study after obtaining informed consent from the parents. Students were 6-10 years in age. Ten were female and eight were male. Their height and weight were recorded and hemoglobin and stools were examined. After these base line studies, students received daily dietary supplement (khichadi) and iron syrup (15 mg elemental iron), six days in a week for a period of 6 months. Those with helminthiasis (2 students) received mebendazole for 3 days and those with amebiasis (five students) received metronidazole for 10 days before starting the supplementation. At the end of six months, height, weight and hemoglobin were assessed.

Basal (Mean) height, weight and hemoglobin were 116.1 cm, 17.0 kg and 11.3 g/dl respectively. After six months of supplementation mean height, weight and hemoglobin increased to 118.3 cms, 19.8 kg and 12.1 g/dl respectively. Using paired t test,⁴ increase in height, weight and hemoglobin were highly significant (P < 0.001)

Socioeconomic deprivation leads to nutritional deficiencies leading to impaired physical and mental growth, anemia and morbidity associated with that. This constitutes a major public health problem, especially in rural areas Supplementation programme, which succeeds in reaching the target population, is sure to reverse the adverse effects of malnutrition as has been shown in the study. Besides objective improvement shown in the study, students had found improved physical and mental activity, which was also noted by the teachers.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Authors are grateful to the Trustees of Vasava-Datta Foundation, Government Agency, teachers of primary school and parents of students for their valuable help and cooperation.

REFERENCES

1. DeMaeyer EM. Iron deficiency anemia. WHO 1989. p. 7.
2. Mehta BC. Iron deficiency disease in India. Mumbai: Dr JC Patel Medical Research Foundation; 2002. p. 1, 47-50, 80-82.
3. Ezzati M, Lopez AD Rodgers A, Hoorn SV, Murray CJL, et al. Selected major risk factors and global and regional burden of disease. Lancet 2002;360:347-60.
4. Hill AB. A short textbook of medical statistics. The English Language Book Society and Hodder and Stoughton. 10th edn. London: p. 132-3.

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