Adolescent girls are at high risk for iron deficiency anemia due to menstrual losses. The recommended daily iron supplementation for adolescent girls under the National Iron+ Initiative (NI+I) of India is:
- A 30 mg elemental iron daily for 6 months
- B 60 mg elemental iron + 500 mcg folic acid weekly throughout the year ✓
- C 100 mg elemental iron daily during menstruation only
- D 60 mg elemental iron daily for 3 months
Correct answer: B. 60 mg elemental iron + 500 mcg folic acid weekly throughout the year
Explanation
Under India's National Iron Plus Initiative (NI+I), adolescent girls (10–19 years) receive weekly iron-folic acid supplementation: 60 mg elemental iron + 500 mcg folic acid, given once weekly throughout the year. This weekly prophylactic schedule (rather than daily) is used to reduce side effects and improve compliance in school-based programs, unlike the therapeutic daily regimens used for diagnosed anemia.
Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.