Question

Under the National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) programme adolescent girls ages 12‐19 years are provided:

• A. 100 mg elemental iron and 500 \(\mu\)g folic acid weekly
• B. 100 mg elemental iron and 500 \(\mu\)g folic acid daily
• C. 45 mg elemental iron and 400 \(\mu\)g folic acid weekly
• D. 45 mg elemental iron and 400 \(\mu\)g folic acid daily

Hint:

NIPI color-coded tablets simplify administration: Pink tablets (45 mg Fe + 400 \(\mu\)g FA) are for junior school children, while Blue tablets (100 mg Fe + 500 \(\mu\)g FA) are for adolescents.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, to address the high prevalence of anemia across different life stages.
The program provides age-specific guidelines for iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Adolescence is a period of rapid growth and physiological change, which increases iron requirements, especially in girls due to the onset of menstruation.
Under the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) component of the NIPI program, adolescent girls and boys aged 10-19 years (including the 12-19 age bracket) are targeted.
The program prescribes a weekly dose consisting of a single blue-colored IFA tablet.
This tablet contains:
100 mg of elemental iron (supplied as ferrous sulfate).
500 \(\mu\)g of folic acid.
This weekly supervised regimen is designed to improve hemoglobin levels and build iron stores, while minimizing gastrointestinal side effects compared to daily dosing.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Adolescent girls aged 12-19 years are provided with 100 mg elemental iron and 500 \(\mu\)g folic acid weekly under the NIPI guidelines.