Impact of Supplementation of Lepidium Sativum (Garden Cress Seeds) Incorporated Chikkies on Heamoglobin and RBC status of Selected Tribal Adolescent Girls

Abstract :

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is an alarming health challenge in developing countries. Adolescent girls are highly vulnerable to aneamia and anaemia at this stage is likely to compromise pubertal growth spurt. Additionally it may reduce physical work capacity and cognitive function which may adversely affect learning and scholastic performance of the school girls entering adolescence (Sen and Kanani, 2006). To overcome this problem, food based approaches have been considered as the most acceptable, safe & sustainable approach. So the present study was carried out to assess the effect of Lepidium Sativum (Garden Cress Seeds) incorporated chikkies on selected anaemic adolescent girls of the age group (12-18 years). Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Universal Ethics Clearance Committee. Screening for anaemia was conducted by assessing haemoglobin levels of 500 adolescent girls. From that 100 moderately anaemic adolescent girls (each 50 in the experimental and control group) were chosen for further study. Haemoglobin status and RBC level (biochemical assessment) of the selected subject was assessed both prior and after supplementation. Clinical examination was carried out. A chikkie of twenty grams containing Lepidium Sativum Seeds – 3 gm (garden cress seeds), groundnut – 10 gm, jaggery – 7 gm was supplemented to fifty selected moderately anaemic adolescent girls in the experimental group daily for a period of 3 months. The chikkies contained 3.5 mg of iron. Deworming was done prior supplementation to both groups. Control groups were given only plain chikkies without incorporation of Lepidium Sativum Seeds. The haematological parameter namely Hb and RBC level gradually increased from 9.624 g/dl to 12.140 g/dl and 3.207 million cells/mm3 to 4.044 million cells/mm3 respectively. There was a significant improvement in parameters of experimental group and there was no specific change in control group. It shows that incorporation of Lepidium Sativum Seeds in foods has better & good effect.

Author Name : M.K. Sheeba & N. Sabitha

Keywords: Anaemia, Adolescent, Lepidium Sativum Seeds, incorporation, chikkies, haematology.