The objective of this study was to compare effects of natal plum fruits （Carissa grandiflora） on hemoglobin （HB） levels in comparison to ferrous sulfate tablets to 201 anemic children aging from 5 to 12 years in r...The objective of this study was to compare effects of natal plum fruits （Carissa grandiflora） on hemoglobin （HB） levels in comparison to ferrous sulfate tablets to 201 anemic children aging from 5 to 12 years in rural area in Somalia. The study was designed as randomized clinical intervention to explore the potentials of natal plum to combat against IDA （iron deficiency anemia）/anemia using mean HB gains as a parameter. The research was carried out in rural setting near Somalia capital where local NGOs （non governmental organizations） work in the absence of local/central authorities. Only HB levels of the subject children were measured as other confirmatory analyses were not available due to the civil wars at the time of the intervention. The baseline HB levels of both groups were similar. However, after the intervention the cumulative HB levels of the natal fruits group was higher than the control group of ferrous sulfate by at least 31% （P 〈 0.008, equal variances not assumed）. Dietary interventions to mitigate IDA/anemia using locally available foods rich in iron, vitamins C and A seem to promise in the developing countries where chronic inadequate resources seem to affect the public health nutrition especially vulnerable groups like growing children.展开更多
文摘The objective of this study was to compare effects of natal plum fruits （Carissa grandiflora） on hemoglobin （HB） levels in comparison to ferrous sulfate tablets to 201 anemic children aging from 5 to 12 years in rural area in Somalia. The study was designed as randomized clinical intervention to explore the potentials of natal plum to combat against IDA （iron deficiency anemia）/anemia using mean HB gains as a parameter. The research was carried out in rural setting near Somalia capital where local NGOs （non governmental organizations） work in the absence of local/central authorities. Only HB levels of the subject children were measured as other confirmatory analyses were not available due to the civil wars at the time of the intervention. The baseline HB levels of both groups were similar. However, after the intervention the cumulative HB levels of the natal fruits group was higher than the control group of ferrous sulfate by at least 31% （P 〈 0.008, equal variances not assumed）. Dietary interventions to mitigate IDA/anemia using locally available foods rich in iron, vitamins C and A seem to promise in the developing countries where chronic inadequate resources seem to affect the public health nutrition especially vulnerable groups like growing children.
