Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

A Point-of-Care Method with Integrated Decision Support Tool to Estimate Anemia at Population Level
05:35

A Point-of-Care Method with Integrated Decision Support Tool to Estimate Anemia at Population Level

Published on: January 19, 2024

Iron deficiency in young children in low-income countries and new approaches for its prevention

Chessa K Lutter1

  • 1Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC 20037, USA. lutterch@paho.org

The Journal of Nutrition
|November 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Severe iron deficiency (ID) anemia is a major global health issue for young children, impacting development. New strategies are needed to improve iron status and prevent anemia effectively.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Iron deficiency (ID) anemia is the most common nutritional problem in young children globally, especially in low-income nations.
  • This condition is linked to significant negative impacts on cognitive and motor development in children.
  • Existing public health interventions have shown limited success in preventing ID anemia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the need for effective interventions to improve iron status in young children.
  • To emphasize the importance of early and frequent interventions.
  • To advocate for improved delivery methods for iron supplementation.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a review of existing evidence from animal and human studies.
  • It synthesizes findings on the effects of iron deficiency on child development.
  • It discusses the requirements for successful prevention programs, including delivery systems and compliance.

Main Results:

  • Early and frequent interventions are crucial for preventing ID anemia.
  • Effective delivery systems that boost demand and compliance are essential.
  • Improved iron status in children leads to significant health benefits.

Conclusions:

  • Addressing iron deficiency in young children requires comprehensive policy and programmatic guidance.
  • New approaches focusing on early intervention and better iron delivery are necessary.
  • Successful prevention of ID anemia can be achieved through strong delivery systems and consumer engagement.

More Related Videos

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload05:23

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Published on: March 14, 2017

Quantifiable and Inexpensive Cell-Free Fluorescent Method to Confirm the Ability of Novel Compounds to Chelate Iron05:36

Quantifiable and Inexpensive Cell-Free Fluorescent Method to Confirm the Ability of Novel Compounds to Chelate Iron

Published on: February 23, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Disorders of Erythrocytes01:27

Disorders of Erythrocytes

Disorders of erythrocytes, or red blood cells (RBCs), include a range of conditions affecting their number, shape, or function.
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Antiprotozoal Agents01:21

Antiprotozoal Agents

Leishmaniasis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by several Leishmania species. It affects millions of people each year and remains a major public health problem in endemic regions. First-line treatment relies on pentavalent antimonials, including meglumine antimoniate and sodium stibogluconate. Even so, how these drugs work has not been fully clear, especially their interaction with parasite-specific biochemical pathways. One key target is trypanothione reductase (TR), an enzyme that...
Rh Blood Group01:19

Rh Blood Group

The Rhesus (Rh) antigen is crucial in determining blood groups and ensuring compatibility during blood transfusions.
Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System01:26

Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System

At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...