Effect of iron and zinc supplementation in the treatment of malaria in children

  • Danny Dasraf
  • Bugis Mardina Lubis
  • Bidasari Lubis
  • Nelly Rosdiana
  • Munar Lubis
  • Syahril Pasaribu
Keywords: reticulocyte, iron, zinc, malaria, Plasmodium falciparum

Abstract

Background Iron and zinc administration for children with
malaria in endemic area were known to decrease parasitemia but
data on their effectiveness when given together to increase
reticulocytes as erythropoiesis parameter and hemoglobin is
insufficient.
Objective To determine the effect of zinc to increase iron
absorption in the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in
children.
Methods Children with positive Plasmodium falciparum on their
blood smear (n=86) examination were randomly assigned to daily
supplementation of iron 6 mg per kg body weight per day plus
placebo or iron plus zinc 10 mg per day for 30 days. Venous blood
specimens were collected at the start and at the end of the study.
Results Sixty-nine children completed the supplementations and
had both baseline and follow-up blood specimen study. After 30-
day supplementation, the iron plus placebo and iron plus zinc
groups showed significant difference on hemoglobin concentration
(0.58 and 0.09 g/dl; P<0.05). There was no significant difference
in reticulocyte production index and reticulocyte count before
and after intervention in both groups. There was only significant
difference in red blood cells concentration after supplementation
of iron plus placebo and iron plus zinc (4.7 in 4.5 million/μl;
P<0.05).
Conclusions Iron supplementation with or without zinc shows
significant increase of hemoglobin concentration. It is slightly
higher in iron plus placebo group.

Author Biographies

Danny Dasraf
Department of Child Health, Medical School, North Sumatra
University, Medan, Indonesia.
Bugis Mardina Lubis
Department of Child Health, Medical School, North Sumatra
University, Medan, Indonesia.
Bidasari Lubis
Department of Child Health, Medical School, North Sumatra
University, Medan, Indonesia.
Nelly Rosdiana
Department of Child Health, Medical School, North Sumatra
University, Medan, Indonesia.
Munar Lubis
Department of Child Health, Medical School, North Sumatra
University, Medan, Indonesia.
Syahril Pasaribu
Department of Child Health, Medical School, North Sumatra
University, Medan, Indonesia.

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Published
2016-09-24
How to Cite
1.
Dasraf D, Lubis B, Lubis B, Rosdiana N, Lubis M, Pasaribu S. Effect of iron and zinc supplementation in the treatment of malaria in children. PI [Internet]. 24Sep.2016 [cited 28Mar.2024];47(6):256-0. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/426
Received 2016-09-01
Accepted 2016-09-01
Published 2016-09-24