KETERBATASAN RESPON HEMOGLOBIN DAN SENG SERUM TERHADAP SUPLEMENTASI SENG (ZN) DAN BESI (FE) PADA ANAK USIA 6-24 BULAN

ABSTRACT. The objective of  this study  was to investigate the efficacy of  iron and zinc supplementation on anemic status and zinc status of children aged 6-24 months. The study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in which 173 children aged 6-24 months were randomly assigned to receive 15 mg Fe+ 15 mg Zn daily 30 mg Fe+30 mg Zn weekly or placebo for 5 months. As expected, no significant difference in the baseline hemoglobin and serum zinc concentration and nutrient intake between the three supplementation groups. In the children aged 6-24 months, micronutrient deficiencies were prevalent. Almost 50% of the children were anemic, and 20% of them were zinc deficient. The anemic children had a 2.5-fold greater risk of  zinc deficient than did the non-anemic children. This could indicate the existence of concurrent nutritional deficiencies. At the end of the 5mo supplementation period, the daily and weekly Fe+Zn supplementation tend to increased hemoglobin concentrations, but there were no significant difference compared with the placebo. The daily and weekly Fe+Zn supplementation did not significantly affect serum zinc concentration compared with the placebo. Keyword: suplementasi, anemia, besi dan seng.