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BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of different oral iron preparations in children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). METHODS: Sixty children with IDA, aged between 6 months and 180 months, were randomly assigned into three treatment groups. Group I included children with IDA who received ferrous sulfate (Fe-S); Group II included children receiving iron polymaltose complexes (Fe-OH-PM), and Group III included children receiving a single preparation of combined iron and zinc (Fe-Zn). The effect of different iron preparations were evaluated and compared. The duration of treatment was 8 weeks. Hemoglobin (Hgb) levels, as well as other hematological parameters were determined at admission and the first, fourth, and eighth weeks of the treatment. RESULTS: The Hgb levels of patients in all three groups were statistically higher in the fourth (P=0.001) and eighth (P<0.001) weeks compared to baseline; although there was no difference between the groups at the end of the treatment period (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that, Fe-OH-PM and Fe-Zn preparations may also be preferred as a choice like Fe-S for treatment of children with IDA.