August 6, 2026 · JAMA · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2026.12242

Iron or Multiple Micronutrient Powder Supplements With Malaria Chemoprevention in Rural Malawian Children: The IRMA Randomized Clinical Trial

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The study aimed to determine whether universal iron interventions combined with malaria chemoprevention would enhance cognitive outcomes and safety regarding infection risk in rural Malawian children. The results indicated that neither iron syrup nor iron-containing micronutrient powders improved cognitive scores compared to malaria chemoprevention alone, and both iron interventions did not increase malaria risk. Overall, the findings suggest that these iron interventions did not provide the expected functional benefits in this population.

Kamija S Phiri, Glory Mzembe, Maclean Vokhiwa, Alistair R D McLean, Chikondi Ngwira, Ernest Moya, Owen P L Mtambo, Jena Hamadani, Mayamiko D Kapulula, Louise Randall, Gomezgani Mhango, Naomi Von Dinklage, Ruth Mangisa, Leila M Larson, Mary Magoya, Danielle Clucas, Rebecca Harding, Anthony E Chirwa, Miranda Starr, Hans Verhoef, Alinune N Kabaghe, Ayse Y Demir, Beverley-Ann Biggs, Martin N Mwangi, Sabine Braat, Ricardo Ataíde, Sant-Rayn Pasricha

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