This study assessed the effectiveness of multivitamins (MV) with iron as pr
ophylaxis against iron deficiency (ID) and anemia in infancy. The study was
a double-blind, randomized trial at 2 urban primary care clinics. Subjects
included healthy, full-term infants enrolled at their 6-month well-child v
isit. Parents administered MV, either with iron or without iron, by mouth d
aily for 3 months. At 9 months of age, 28.3% of 310 had either anemia or ID
without anemia. Among infants with any adherence, anemia was found in 11.1
% of the iron group and 21.7% in the noniron group (RR=0.5, 95% CI=0.3-1.0)
. Iron deficiency without anemia was found in 18.5% of the iron group; 14.4
% of the noniron group (p=0.46). When administered daily starting at age 6
months, standard-dose multivitamins with iron appear to reduce anemia preva
lence at 9 months of age.