Iron supplementation health benefits and risks: A review of 26 randomized controlled trials looking at the effects of iron supplementation in children (aged 0-59 months) found that among iron-deficient or anemic children iron supplementation improved hemoglobin (protein that carries oxygen) levels and improved mental and motor development (specially with long-term supplementation). However, iron supplementation negatively affected weight gain in children with low iron. Most studies found no impact on rate of disease in a population (morbidity). Additionally, in populations with high rates of malaria, iron supplementation was associated with a significant increase in serious side-effects. (36)
