Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2026
A Point-of-Care Method with Integrated Decision Support Tool to Estimate Anemia at Population Level
Published on: January 19, 2024
[Anemia and birthweight]
Taqueco T Uchimura1, Sophia C Szarfarc, Maria R D de O Latorre
1Departamento de Enfermagem, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brasil. taqueco@aol.com
Insights
Low birthweight (LBW) significantly increases the risk of anemia and undernutrition in infants during their first year. Targeted antenatal care is crucial for reducing LBW and its adverse health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutritional Science
Context:
- Child health in developing nations.
- Impact of birthweight on infant development.
- Prevalence of anemia and malnutrition in infants.
Purpose:
- To investigate the association between low birthweight (LBW) and infant anemia and malnutrition.
- To analyze growth indicators and anemia status in children under one year.
- To assess the influence of LBW on child health outcomes in the first year of life.
Summary:
- A study of 587 infants in Maringá, Brazil, found 6.3% had LBW and 58% were anemic.
- Anemia was more common in the second half of infancy.
- LBW infants, particularly those aged 0-3 months, showed high rates of undernutrition (height-for-age).
Impact:
- Highlights the critical need for specialized antenatal care for high-risk pregnancies.
- Emphasizes the long-term health risks associated with LBW, including growth impairment and anemia.
- Provides data supporting interventions to reduce LBW and mitigate its consequences in early childhood.
Objective:
To verify the influence of Low Birthweight (LBW) on child anemia and malnutrition during the first year of life.
Methods:
Sample population included all children under one year seen at Health Units of the municipality of Maringá, southern Brazil, in 1998. Total sample size was 587 children. LBW was defined as birthweight below 2 500 g. The analysis of growth for the weigh-for-age and height-for-age indicators was based on National Center for Health Statistics standards. For anemia diagnosis, a biochemical hemoglobin concentration dosage, using HemoCue direct colorimetric method was employed. Children with [Hb] <11,0 g/dL were considered as anemic.
Results:
Fifty-eight percent of the studied population were anemic, and 37 children (6.3%) presented LBW. Anemia was more prevalent during the second semester of life (p=0.0093). Undernutrition, as indicated by the height-for-age indicator, was high especially for children aged 0-3 months with LBW.
Conclusions:
Although LBW rates among the studied population were similar to those of developed countries, we suggest the implementation of specific antenatal care for high-risk women, aiming at reducing LBW, an event that affects the child, hampering its growth and increasing the risk of anemia and its countless deleterious consequences.
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