Iron Deficiency Status of Children at 9 and 24 Months Who Received Iron Prophylaxis

Abstract

Objective: Iron deficiency is the most frequent cause of anemia in children aged 4-24 months in the world. In our country, since 2004, iron prophylaxis is been started to all children from the 4th month on upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Health. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of iron deficiency anemia in children with iron prophylaxis at 9 months of age and to determine the frequency of iron deficiency anemia at 24 months of age for those who were continuing to receive prophlaxis or treatment for iron deficiency until 1 years of age. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was performed on a total of 96 children, 54 of whom were male and 42 were female, followed up in Healthy Child Outpatient Clinic of Bakirkoy Sadi Konuk Education and Research Hospital. The frequency of iron deficiency anemia was studied by measuring birth weights, weight and blood hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean erythrocyte volume, erythrocyte distribution width, iron, iron binding capacity, ferritin values in children at the 9th months, who were started iron prophlaxis at 4 months. Children who were diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia at the 9th months were started on iron at a treatment dose whereas children who were normoanemic continued to receive iron prophylaxis until 12 months of age. When children were 24 months old, they were re-evaluated with the same parameters, frequency of iron deficiency anemia was investigated and iron deficiency anemia at 9th and 24th months were compared. In order to determine the socioeconomic level of the study group, the educational status of the parents were investigated. Results: Iron deficiency anemia was seen in 44,8% of the 9 months-old children whose iron prophylaxis was started at postnatal 4. months. Iron deficiency anemia was seen in 33% of 24 monthsold children whose iron prophylaxis, or treatment was discontinued when they were 12 months old. Anemic children at 2 years of age were also anemic when they were 9 months old. Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia continues to be a health problem in the children of families with high socioeconomic status who are followed-up routinely in healthy child follow-up clinic.