Iron Supplementation Outcome on Recurrent Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in 6-15 Years Old Egyptian Children A 1 Year Prospective Study

Abstract

Background: Iron therapy could reduce the prevalence of upper respiratory infections. Aim: To assess the incidence and type of recurrent URTIs in Egyptian school children, assessing the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and the effect of iron supplementation on the incidence and severity of URTIs among them. Patients and Methods: 1000 Children (6–15 years) were recruited for a prospective interventional study from two schools in Shobra, Cairo, Egypt, enrollment was done in early autumn and after a three months follow up, students whom diagnosed to have recurrent URTIs were screened by Hemocue; if anemic (Hb < 11.5gm/dL): CBC and iron profile were done, they enrolled into 3 groups: (A) had iron deficiency anemia and received oral iron fumerate therapy (6mg/kg/d) for 3 months then maintained on oral iron (1mg/kg/d) for one year, and (B) non anemic randomly assigned in 1:1 ratio into: group (B1) received maintenance iron therapy for one year and group (B2) did not receive iron. Frequency and severity of URTIs using (CARIFS score) throughout the study period were recorded. Results: Tow-hundred and forty (24.5%) of the children were suffering from recurrent URTIS during autumn, 135 of them (55%) was anemic. The frequency of iron deficiency anemia among children who experienced recurrent URTIS was 42.8%. The most prevalent upper respiratory tract infection was common cold (60%) followed by acute tonsillitis (29%). A maintenance dose of iron decreased the frequency and severity of URTIS. Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia caused a higher number of URTIs and correcting it improved the number of illness. Key words: Iron, URTIs, CARIFS.