Prevalence Of Iron Deficiency Anemia In Infants Research Articles

Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in exclusively breastfed infants after a 5-month iron supplementation

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is prevalent in exclusively breastfed (EBF) Thai infants. However, in Thailand, iron supplementation guidelines for EBF infants are not available. This prospective open-label study aimed to estimate the prevalence of IDA in 9-month-old EBF infants after receiving iron supplementation from 4 months of age until they consumed adequate iron-rich food. Forty-seven healthy, 4-month-old EBF infants were prescribed 1 mg/kg/day ferrous sulfate. Their complementary food records from 6 to 9 months were calculated for daily iron intake. Complete blood count and iron study were performed at 9 months of age. The results showed that the prevalence of IDA at 9 months was 6.4%. An employed caregiver and the male sex of the baby were significantly associated with iron deficiency. The food record revealed that the median daily iron intake was less than the Thai dietary reference intake recommendation. In summary, the prevalence of IDA in infants with 9 months of exclusive breastfeeding who received iron supplementation was lower than the background rate (25.7%) when iron was not prescribed. Most infants did not have adequate iron in complementary foods. Iron supplementation should be prescribed routinely during 4–9 months of age in healthy Thai EBF infants.

Infants in the Second Year of Life Are Still at Significant Risk for Developing Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) and Should Be Treated with Prophylactic Iron Supplements.

Abstract 4533 BackgroundIdentifying and treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the CDC and a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to prevent various long-term squeals such as delayed mental and psychomotor development.As the prevalence of IDA and Thalassemia is high in Israel, the ministry of health has instituted that all infants of 4-12 months of age be supplemented with an iron preparation at 3 mg/kg/day. Iron deficient infants are treated with 6mg/kg/day iron, and rechecked at 3 months. Aim of StudyTo determine the prevalence of IDA in infants in the second year of life MethodsStudy population consists of 1818 toddlers between 12 to 24 months, from eight clinics in the southern (Negev) district of Israel; four clinics of the Bedouin sector (1167 toddlers) and four of the Jewish sector (651 toddlers) Samples were collected during 2006 and 2007 from otherwise healthy individuals, as recommended by the ministry of health. Toddlers were eligible unless previously known to be suffering from a congenital anemia disorder. Anemia was defined as MCV < 70. Iron deficiency was defined by an increment in MCV at a repeat test within 6 months or a ferritin level below norm. ResultsOf the 968 males and 850 females (Mean age 16.9±3.4 months), 505 (27.8%) toddlers were found to be anemic. The prevalence of anemia was significantly higher amongst Bedouin toddlers, (37.5% vs. 10.3% in Jews, p=0.001), and Male gender (30.5% vs. 24.7% in females, p=0.006), highly significant for Jewish males (14.6% vs. 5.5% in Jewish females p<0.001). Anemic toddlers were significantly older than the non-anemic toddlers (17.3±3.4 months vs. 16.7±3.4, respectively, p=0.001).One hundred thirteen (22.3%) anemic infants had a follow-up test (average time 4.4 months), 81 of them had an improvement in MCV and 5 had a low ferritin level. The group of toddlers with IDA was determined at 76.1% of the anemic children. We found no significant difference in the execution of a follow-up test between sectors and genders. However, toddlers that underwent a second test were significantly younger, by an average of 3 months (p<0.001, 95% [CI]: 2.27-3.45 months).No differences in demographics gender, age or blood indices were found between the groups of infants who repeated the test and those without further data. Of the total sample population 20.1% were defined as IDA. Multivariate analysis of the anemia model revealed a significantly higher risk for developing IDA in the second year of life for Bedouin toddlers (27%) compared to Jewish toddlers (7.4%; OR: 3.7; 95% CI: 2.482-5.468), and for male toddlers compared to female. ConclusionsA cost-effective screening program to prevent and treat IDA and other anemias in a high-risk population is cost effective and easily executed. Physicians need to be aware of IDA in order to implement an effective screen.With an overall prevalence of more than 1 in 5 infants suffering from IDA, and the very low probability of iron overload, our results clearly support the need to continue iron supplementation in the second year of life. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Iron Deficiency Anemia Following Prenatal Nutrition Interventions

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) during pregnancy and infancy is still common in developed countries, especially in low-income groups. We examined the prevalence of anemia and IDA in healthy low-income pregnant women participating in the Early Childhood Initiatives (ECI) program, and in their infants when they reached six months of age. Pregnant women were recruited by nutritionists. In mothers, hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume, and serum ferritin (SF) were measured at 36 +/- 2 weeks of gestation. In infants, Hb, mean corpuscular volume, SF, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation (TS) were measured at six months of age. Thirty-one mother-infant pairs participated. Among the 31 pregnant women participating in the ECI program, six (19.4%) were anemic (Hb <110 g/L) and five (16.1%) suffered from IDA (Hb <110 g/L and SF <10 microg/L). Among infants, seven of 23 (30.4%) were anemic (Hb <110 g/L) and five of 23 (21.7%) suffered from IDA (Hb <110 g/L plus two of the following: TIBC >60 micromol/L, SF <10 microg/L, serum iron <5.3 micromol/L, TS < or = 15%). The prevalence of anemia in this group of low-income pregnant women is comparable to that in privileged women. The prevalence of IDA in infants is comparable to that observed in other high-risk groups. Effective strategies are needed to prevent IDA in vulnerable groups.