Abstract
INTRODUCTION
 Iron deficiency is the world most prevalent nutritional disorder which is associated with impaired neurocognitive function in infants. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in Portuguese infants remains unknown. The last study was performed by one of us (HA) in 1994 in a sample of 188 infants revealing a prevalence of IDA of 19%. The main objective of this study is to determine the current prevalence of IDA in a sample of infants nine months of age in Braga, Portugal.
 METHODS
 This was a cross-sectional study on a random sample of infants born from September 2016 to February 2017 at Braga Hospital. They were evaluated for anthropometry, socio-economic factors, feeding regime and a blood sample was taken for blood cell counts, serum ferritin and C reactive protein. RESULTS
 Forty-two infants were included. The prevalence of IDA was 7.1%. Nine infants were anemic (21%); moderate anemia was observed in 2/9 of infants and mild anemia in 7/9 infants. Of the 3 infants with IDA, 2 had been exclusively breastfed until 6 months.
 CONCLUSIONS
 Compared to a study from 1994, there may have been a reduction in the prevalence of IDA in this area in Portugal.
Highlights
Iron deficiency is the world most prevalent nutritional disorder which is associated with impaired neurocognitive function in infants
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data, the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remains high in late infancy and early childhood despite the increased breastfeeding rate, improvements in public health, and development of iron-fortified foods.[5]
The main objective of the present study is to determine the current prevalence of IDA in a sample of infants aged nine months and born in another hospital in Braga, Portugal
Summary
Iron deficiency is the world most prevalent nutritional disorder which is associated with impaired neurocognitive function in infants. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common nutrient deficiency in the industrialized world, among pre‐school children, and there is evidence of an association with delayed mental development.[1] IDA in infants remains underdiagnosed, as most infants do not undergo blood tests unless suggestive clinical signs are present. These symptoms and signs--pallor, irritability, poor feeding, fatigue, lethargy, and pica--are non-specific.[2] There is a clear association between IDA and impaired neurocognitive function with implications for intellectual function in childhood[3], and this association continues even after its successful treatment.[4]. The prevalence of iron deficiency may be as high as 30% in toddlers from developed countries.[6,7]
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