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Iron deficiency in rural Ghanaian children
M T Agyei-Frempong1, G Asare, W K Owiredu
1Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Insights
Iron deficiency anaemia is ten times more prevalent in rural Ghanaian children than urban children. Ferrous fumarate supplementation significantly improved iron status in rural children, reducing anaemia prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a significant global health concern, particularly in developing regions.
- Ghanaian children, especially those in rural settings, face a high burden of IDA.
- Understanding the disparities in IDA prevalence based on residential setting is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prevalence of iron deficiency in Ghanaian children across different residential settings.
- To evaluate the efficacy of ferrous fumarate in correcting iron deficiency anaemia in affected children.
Main Methods:
- A prospective case-finding study was conducted in Nkoranza, Ghana.
- Participants included rural out-patients, urban controls, and newly diagnosed in-patients.
- Data collected included questionnaires, laboratory results (hemoglobin, iron status), and patient records.
Main Results:
- Rural children exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of iron deficiency compared to urban children.
- Following 30 days of ferrous fumarate administration, rural children showed a 20% improvement in iron status.
- Iron deficiency anaemia decreased by 10% in rural subjects and 17.6% in newly diagnosed cases.
Conclusions:
- Rural Ghanaian children have a significantly higher prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia, approximately ten times that of urban children.
- Iron deficiency anaemia constitutes a substantial portion of anaemia cases in hospitalized children.
- A 30-day course of 200mg ferrous fumarate effectively improves iron status and corrects anaemia in deficient children.
Objectives:
To compare the prevalence of iron deficiency among Ghanaian children in different residential settings and to see whether 200mg ferrous fumerate B.P. could correct iron deficiency anaemia in observed cases of iron deficiency.
Design:
Prospective case-finding study using an iron-deficiency society questionnaire, laboratory data and general practice records. Crude prevalence was calculated using the hospital's mid-year estimates.
Setting:
Nkoranza in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
Subjects:
Rural-dwelling children entering as out-patients, urban-dwelling children entering as controls and newly diagnosed iron-deficient children entering as in-patients.
Main Outcome Measures:
Crude prevalence rates (per quinquennia) for three groups of children. Corrected deficiencies expressed as percentage after management. Age, haemoglobin, iron status, residential status, symptoms at entry and after therapy.
Results:
Following a 30-day administration of ferrous fumarate, the mean serum iron for the rural children increased significantly by 3.3 micromol/l representing an improved iron status of 20.0%(P<0.0001). Iron deficiency anaemia defined by serum Hb<12.0 g/dl and Fe<12.5 mmol/l decreased by 10% in the rural subjects. Comparatively, iron deficiency among the newly diagnosed anaemia group, fell by 17.6% whilst their ambulant urban counterparts employed as the control group had an iron deficiency anaemia of 0.0%.
Conclusion:
The study clearly indicates that the-prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among children in rural Ghana is about ten times that of the urban-dwelling children and that iron-deficiency anaemia accounts for a greater percentage of all anaemic cases among children in our hospitals. It was also shown that taking appropriate iron supplements like 200 mg of ferrous fumerate for thirty days can substantially improve the iron status of iron-deficient children.