Daily iron supplementation in children 6-23 months of age

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Daily iron supplementation in children 6-23 months of age

Intervention | Last updated: 20 June 2023

Approximately 300 million children globally had anaemia in 2011. The most common cause of anaemia is thought to be deficiency in iron, an essential nutrient for development and cell growth in the immune and neural systems, as well as in regulation of energy metabolism and exercise. Iron deficiency can result from inadequate intake or absorption of dietary iron, increased need during periods of growth, and blood loss from helminth* infection.

Children are particularly vulnerable to iron deficiency anaemia because of their increased iron requirements in the periods of rapid growth, especially in the first five years of life. Iron deficiency anaemia in children has been linked to increased childhood morbidity and impaired cognitive development and school performance.

Evidence has shown that daily iron supplementation in children 6–23 months of age is associated with a reduced risk of iron deficiency and anaemia.

* Helminths are a group of parasites commonly referred to as worms and include schistosomes and soil-transmitted helminths

WHO Recommendations

Daily iron supplementation is recommended as a public health intervention in infants and young children aged 6–23 months, living in settings where the prevalence of anaemia is 40% or higher in this age group*, for preventing iron deficiency and anaemia.

* In the absence of prevalence data in this group, consider proxies for high risk of anaemia. For the most recent estimates, visit the WHO-hosted Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System (VMNIS).