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Prevalence and risk factors for iron deficiency in Kelantanese pre-school children

A S Siti-Noor1, W M Wan-Maziah, M Y Narazah

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Hospital, Kuantan 25150, Pahang, Malaysia. sitinooralishibramulisi@yahoo.co.uk

Singapore Medical Journal
|November 1, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) are highly prevalent in Kelantanese children. Prolonged breastfeeding and not introducing formula milk are key risk factors for ID in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • High prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in Kelantanese pre-school children.
  • Need to identify predictive risk factors for ID in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Determine the prevalence of ID and IDA in Kelantanese pre-school children.
  • Identify risk factors that predict the presence of ID.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 490 children aged 8-26 months from primary health clinics in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
  • Data collected via parental interviews on risk factors and blood analysis for hemoglobin (HB) and serum ferritin (SF).
  • Multiple logistic regression used to compare risk factors between iron-deficient and iron-sufficient groups.

Main Results:

  • 65.1% of children had anaemia (HB < 11.0 g/dL).
  • 38.9% had ID (SF < 12 µg/L), and 31.6% had IDA.
  • Independent risk factors for ID included prolonged breastfeeding (>6 months) and failure to receive formula milk.

Conclusions:

  • High prevalence of ID and IDA in Kelantanese children.
  • Prolonged breastfeeding and lack of formula milk introduction are primary contributors to ID.
  • Findings highlight the need for targeted nutritional interventions.
Abstract

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