Background: many other studies were done to evaluate the effect of oral lactoferrin administration on iron deficiency anemia.
Objective: This study was designed to assess the effects of lactoferrin supplementation on primary school children having iron deficiency anemia.
Patients and Methods: Prospective cohort study was conducted on 94 patients with iron deficiency anemia. They were 58 females and 36 males. Their ages range from 6 years to 12 years with mean age of 8.4 years. In the period between October 2018 and January 2019. Each child was submitted to full history taking, complete clinical examination and laboratory investigations including complete blood count, Serum ferritin, serum iron and total iron binding capacity.
Results: oral administration of bovine lactoferrin (BLf) significantly increases the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, serum ferritin and total iron after thirty days of the treatment. BLf is a more effective and safe alternative than elemental iron for treating iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia.
Conclusion: lactoferrin is a better substitute for elementary iron in treatment of iron deficiency.