[Various types of anemia in children of 6 to 59 months]

Sonia Khosrof Ben Jaâfar1, Abdelaziz Kamoun, Jalila El Ati

  • 1Ecole Supérieure des Sciences et Techniques de la Santé de Tunis, La Rabta, Tunis.

La Tunisie Medicale
|August 2, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Ferriprive anaemia is the most common type in children under five across Tunisia. This study assessed various anaemias, finding iron deficiency prevalent in both urban and rural settings.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Nutritional Deficiencies
  • Public Health

Context:

  • Childhood anemia is a significant global health concern.
  • Prevalence varies geographically and by socioeconomic factors.
  • Understanding specific anemia types is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose:

  • To evaluate the prevalence and types of anemia in children aged 6-59 months.
  • To compare anemia distribution between urban and rural populations in Large Tunis and Western South regions.
  • To identify the primary causes of anemia in young children.

Summary:

  • Ferriprive (iron deficiency) anemia affects 21.3% in Large Tunis and 18% in Western South children.
  • Urban (20.7%) and rural (19.1%) rates of ferriprive anemia were not significantly different.
  • Other anemias like martial anemia, folate/B12 deficiency, thalassemia, and sickle cell disease were less common.

Impact:

  • Highlights iron deficiency as the leading cause of anemia in young Tunisian children.
  • Provides data for public health strategies to combat childhood anemia.
  • Informs healthcare providers about the spectrum of anemia in the studied populations.
Abstract

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