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Iron-Biofortified Rice Intervention in the Philippines

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Iron-deficiency
Anemia
Interventions
Other: Control rice
Other: Iron-biofortified rice
Registration Number
NCT04623918
Lead Sponsor
Cornell University
Brief Summary

The objective of this randomized efficacy feeding trial was to determine the effects of consuming iron-biofortified rice on iron status in women, compared to non-biofortified rice. A randomized trial of biofortified rice (IR68144-2B-2-2-3), bred to enhance iron content, was conducted among women living in convents in the greater area of Manila, Philippines for 9 months.

Detailed Description

Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency globally, with the highest burden in women of reproductive age and children. In this randomized controlled trial, 317 women aged 18-45 years living in convents in the greater Manila area, Philippines, were fed meals using either biofortified or commercially available rice for all meals, 7 days a week, for 9 months. Women living in convents in the greater Manila area were recruited for this study. These women represent a segment of the population at high risk for iron deficiency, consume large quantities of rice, and all of their meals are prepared and consumed in common kitchen and dining areas, respectively.

The investigators hypothesized that daily consumption of iron-biofortified rice (IR68144-2B-2-2-3) would improve hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and total body iron in 9 months, compared to control rice. In order to examine this hypothesis, the investigators conducted a randomized efficacy trial of iron-biofortified rice and iron status in among women living in convents in the greater area of Manila, Philippines for 9 months.

The objective of this randomized efficacy feeding trial was to determine the effects of consuming iron-biofortified rice on iron status in women, compared to non-biofortified rice.

The long-term goal of this study is to determine if iron bio-fortification of rice is an efficacious and potentially effective strategy to improve iron status of at-risk populations in resource-limited settings.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
288
Inclusion Criteria
  • Women (18-45 years old) living in convents in the greater Manila area
  • Hb ≥10.5 g/dL
Exclusion Criteria
  • Current or history of gastrointestinal or hematological disorders
  • Taking iron supplements or medications that could interfere with hematopoiesis or dietary iron absorption
  • Hb <10.5 g/dL
  • Women expressed uncertainty in their ability to participate for the full (9 month) trial

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Control riceControl riceControl rice (C4)
Iron-biofortified riceIron-biofortified riceIron-biofortified rice (IR68144-2B-2-2-3)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in sTfR9 months

Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)

Change in serum ferritin9 months

Serum ferritin (SF)

Change in TBI9 months

Total body iron (TBI)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in sTfR among women who were non-anemic at baseline9 months

Changes in sTfR among women who were non-anemic at baseline

Change in hemoglobin among women who were anemic at baseline9 months

Changes in hemoglobin (Hb) in women who were anemic at baseline

Changes in SF among women who were non-anemic at baseline9 months

Changes in SF among women who were non-anemic at baseline

Changes in TBI among women who were non-anemic at baseline9 months

Changes in TBI among women who were non-anemic at baseline

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of the Philippines

🇵🇭

Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

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