Fig. 2: Study 1: fractional iron absorption from three different iron interventions in children with virally suppressed HIV (HIV + , n = 43) and without HIV (HIV−, n = 45).

A Fractional iron absorption (%) and B total iron absorption (mg) from a maize porridge ( ~ 0.14 mg intrinsic iron per serving) extrinsically labelled with 2 mg 58Fe as ferrous fumarate (HIV − : n = 42; HIV + : n = 41), a lipid-based nutrient supplement (1.81 mg intrinsic iron per serving) extrinsically labelled with 6 mg 57Fe as ferrous sulphate (HIV − : n = 41; HIV + : n = 38), and a ferrous sulphate tablet containing 55 mg of elemental iron extrinsically labelled with 6 mg 57Fe as ferrous sulphate (HIV − : n = 41; HIV + : n = 37), in iron-depleted South African children with virally suppressed HIV and children without HIV. Boxes show the median and inter-quartile ranges; whiskers extend from the minimum to maximum value. Log-transformed FIA compared between groups using independent samples t-tests (two-sided). Median (IQR) FIA and total iron absorption did not differ between children with and without HIV for any of the three interventions (maize porridge, p = 0.256; LNS, p = 0.573; oral iron tablet, p = 0.264). No adjustments were made for multiple comparisons.