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Abstract Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia is the most common cause of anemia in children and one of the health threatening problems in all of the world. The high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and its effects on the growth retardation suggests more prophylactic methods. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of early iron supplementation on incidence of Iron Deficiency Anemia in term infants. Materials and Methods: This semi experimental study was done on 4-months-old term breast-fed infants referred to the primary health care services for vaccination, without any underline disease or growth retardation or history of hospitalization. 60 infants selected and were divided randomly to two groups (n=30 in each) and a questionnaire was completed for each case. Two groups were matched for gender (2(1)=1.714 P-value=0.19). Iron drop (2mg/kg) prescript for was given in the interventional group. Iron deficiency anemia was assessed in all 6-months-old infants. T-student test and chi-square were used to analyze the independent variables and comparing the hematologic indices. Relative risk index (RR) was used to compare the two groups. A p-value less than 0/05 were considered as Significant. Results: The relative risk of iron deficiency anemia in the interventional group was 0.34 [RR=0.333, CI %95 for RR= (0.179, 0.620)]. Significant difference was seen between the two groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: According to the effectiveness of earlier iron supplementation for prophylaxis of iron deficiency anemia in term infants we suggest it in all cases.

Keywords: Anemia- Iron Deficiency, Infant

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