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Background: The objective of this study was to compare the effect of once weekly iron supplementation (IS) versus twice weekly, on hemoglobin (Hb) levels and anemia prevalence., Methods: In this cluster-randomized clinical trial study, we evaluated infants aged 6-18 months. Length of intervention: 16 weeks. Infants were cluster randomized to either 25 mg elemental iron once weekly (Group-A) or twice weekly (Group-B). Primary outcome variables were change in Hb concentration and anemia prevalence. Two biochemical evaluations were performed to determine Hb concentrations, before and after intervention., Results: For Group-A, at baseline, mean Hb concentration was 10.8 ± 1.18 g/dl and after intervention 11.2 ± 1.07 g/dl,p = 0.12; anemia prevalence was 52.5% at baseline and 37.5% after intervention,p = 0.18; Group-B, mean baseline Hb was 10.7 ± 1.04 g/dl, and 11.3 ± 0.91 g/dl after intervention,p = 0.002; anemia prevalence reduced from 57.9 to 36.8%., Conclusions: Both once and twice weekly IS increased mean Hb concentration; however, twice weekly supplementation provided more significant results., (© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of daily and weekly iron supplementation compared with control on hemoglobin values and anemia prevalence in infants., Methods: In this cluster-randomized study, we evaluated infants aged 12-24 months (n = 210) from three public daycare centers, during 4 months. Intervention-group A was allocated 25 mg elemental iron once weekly; intervention-group B received 12.5 mg elemental iron once daily; control-group C received 0.5 ml of a natural color additive. Hemoglobin was assessed before and after intervention., Results: Baseline mean hemoglobin was 8.81 ± 0.89 g/dl (group A), 9.70 ± 1.56 g/dl (group B) and 10.96 ± 0.92 g/dl (group C); after intervention, mean hemoglobin was 10.03 ± 0.78 g/dl (p < 0.0001), 10.65 ± 0.97 g/dl (p < 0.0001) and 11.30 ± 0.80 g/dl (p = 0.0034) for groups A, B and C, respectively. Anemia prevalence was as follows: group A, 100% at baseline and 83.3% at end of study, p = 0.0001; group, B 75.0% and 41.7%, p = 0.0002; group C, 50.0% and 37.5%, p = 0.182., Conclusions: Weekly and daily iron supplementation were effective in increasing hemoglobin levels and reducing anemia in infants.

Food fortification is advocated to tackle iron deficiency in anemic populations. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of iron-fortified rice (Ultrarice(®)) weekly on hemoglobin and anemia levels compared with standard rice (control). This cluster-randomized study deals with infants (10-23 months) from two public child day care centers in Brazil, n = 216, in an 18 week intervention. The intervention group received individual portions of fortified rice (50 g) provided 56.4 mg elemental/Fe. For intervention center: baseline mean hemoglobin was 11.44 ± 1.07 g/dl, and after intervention 11.67 ± 0.96 g/dl, p < 0.029; for control: baseline mean hemoglobin value was 11.35 ± 4.01 g/dl, and after intervention 11.36 ± 2.10 g/dl, p = 0.986. Anemia prevalence for intervention center was 31.25% at baseline, and 18.75% at end of study, p = 0.045; for control 43.50% were anemic at baseline, and 37.1% at the end of study, p = 0.22. Number Needed to Treat was 7. Iron-fortified rice was effective in increasing hemoglobin levels and reducing anemia in infants.

The proficiency testing for determination of pesticides residues in mango pulp was the third work of the partnership established by INMETRO and INCQS/Fiocruz. Three mango pulp samples were sent to each participant laboratory, two being spiked with the pesticides and one exempt of pesticides. The added pesticides were: deltamethrin, ethion, fenitrothion, malathion, and permethrin. The evaluation of the results of the homogeneity and the stability tests, as well as the determination of the assigned value was made in agreement with ISO GUIDE 35 and ISO 13528, assuming the samples were considered homogeneous and stable for the studied period. The assigned values and the standard deviation for proficiency evaluation was calculated using the robust algorithm, according to ISO 13528, and the evaluation of the results was carried through in accordance with ABNT ISO/IEC Guide 43-1. The z-score graphs and confidence ellipse was also used in the evaluation of the results. In the evaluation carried through from the values of the z-scores, 71% of the reported results were considered satisfactory based on the results found for this index. The evaluation of the analytical viability for the determination of each pesticide and of the analytical capacity of the participant laboratories was carried through. A summarized view of the chromatographic techniques and of preparation of sample used by the participant laboratories was also carried through in this work.