Leaf concentrate as an alternative to iron and folic acid supplements for anaemic adolescent girls: a randomised controlled trial in India

OBJECTIVE: Despite public health campaigns based on Fe and folic acid supplements, Fe-deficiency anaemia remains highly prevalent among women in India. We investigated leaf concentrate as an alternative to Fe and folic acid supplements for treating anaemia in adolescent girls. DESIGN: Randomised controlled two-arm trial over 3 months: one group received daily Fe and folic acid (IFA; 60 mg Fe, 500 mug folic acid); the other daily leaf concentrate (LC; 5 mg Fe, 13 mug folic acid). Hb concentration, mean cell volume, serum Fe, serum ferritin and total Fe-binding capacity were measured pre- and post-intervention. SETTING: Jaipur, India. SUBJECTS: One hundred and two adolescent girls aged 14-18 years. RESULTS: Of the 102 girls randomized to the two arms of the trial, four (3.9 %) were severely anaemic (Hb <7 g/dl), twenty-eight (27.5 %) were moderately anaemic (Hb >/= 7 g/dl, /= 10 g/dl, /=12 g/dl). After adjustment for baseline values, LC was as effective as IFA in improving serum Fe parameters and treating anaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Leaf concentrate is an effective, and more palatable, alternative to Fe and folic acid supplements for treating anaemia in adolescent girls.