Anemia in children: early iron supplementation

Iron deficiency anemia is the most wide spread micronutrient deficiency disorder in the world, being most prevalent in women and young children. The present study was conducted to find out the prevalence of anemia in children and its contributory factors with reference to early iron supplementation. It was a cross sectional study done on 137 children of age 1-2 years in urban slums of Meerut. Prevalence of anemia in the study group was 59.9%. The socio-economic status, mother's educational status, birth weight, sibling order, and type of weaning food did not show any significant relationship with the prevalence of anemia in these children, whereas, weaning time, nutritional status and early iron supplementation had a positive impact on it. Exclusive breast feeding upto 4 months followed by weaning, adequate nutritional status and early iron supplementation have a definite role in prevention of anemia in children.