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A Point-of-Care Method with Integrated Decision Support Tool to Estimate Anemia at Population Level
Published on: January 19, 2024
Relationship between iron deficiency and anemia in children younger than 4 years
Gisele Ane Bortolini1, Márcia Regina Vitolo
1Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. giselebortolini@hotmail.com
Insights
Iron deficiency anemia is highly prevalent in Brazilian toddlers, but less common in preschoolers. Further investigation is needed for anemia causes in older children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Anemia and iron deficiency are significant global child health concerns.
- Early childhood iron status impacts long-term development.
- Understanding prevalence trends is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia in Brazilian children.
- To analyze changes in these conditions between infancy and preschool age.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving children recruited at birth in Southern Brazil.
- Iron status assessed via hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels at 12-16 months and 3-4 years.
- Standardized definitions used for anemia, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia.
Main Results:
- At 12-16 months, prevalence was: anemia 63.7%, iron deficiency 90.3%, iron deficiency anemia 58.8%.
- By 3-4 years, prevalence decreased to: anemia 38.1%, iron deficiency 16.1%, iron deficiency anemia 7.4%.
- Iron deficiency accounted for 95% of anemia at 12-16 months, but only 19.3% at 3-4 years.
Conclusions:
- Iron deficiency is the primary cause of anemia in young children (second year of life).
- Anemia in preschool children (3-4 years) likely stems from other causes.
- Careful assessment is required to identify non-iron-related anemia causes in preschool-aged children.
Objective:
To evaluate the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in a cohort of children.
Methods:
A cohort study nested in a randomized field trial. Children were recruited at birth at the maternity unit of the only public hospital in the city of São Leopoldo, southern Brazil. This study assessed iron status (hemoglobin and serum ferritin) when children were 12-16 months old and later at the age of 3-4 years. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin concentration < 11.0 g/dL; iron deficiency as serum ferritin < 15.0 µg/L; and iron deficiency anemia as hemoglobin concentration < 11.0 g/dL with iron deficiency.
Results:
At age 12-16 months, the overall prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia was 63.7, 90.3 and 58.8%, respectively. The values for age group 3-4 years were 38.1, 16.1 and 7.4%, respectively. At age 12-16 months, 95% of anemia cases were associated with iron deficiency against only 19.3% of cases at age 3-4 years.
Conclusions:
Iron deficiency was the main cause of anemia in the second year of life, but not at age 3-4 years. Thus, we point out that anemia in preschool children may have other causes and deserves careful assessment.
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