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Iron Deficiency Anemia among Hospitalized Children in Konya, Turkey
Fatih Akin1, Ece Selma Solak1, Cengizhan Kilicaslan1
1Department of Pediatrics, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Meram, 42090 Konya, Turkey.
Insights
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) prevalence decreased with a government project, but low iron supplementation rates hinder effectiveness. Prophylactic strategies require improvement for better public health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Hematology
Background:
- Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remains a significant public health concern, particularly in pediatric populations.
- The Turkish Ministry of Health initiated a project in 2004 to prevent IDA through prophylactic iron supplementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of hospitalized pediatric patients diagnosed with IDA.
- To evaluate the impact of the national IDA prevention project on IDA prevalence and iron supplementation adherence.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 1519 patient files from Konya Education and Research Hospital Pediatrics Clinic.
- Inclusion of 50 pediatric patients (35 boys, 15 girls; mean age 16.59 ± 1.68 months) diagnosed with IDA.
- Analysis of IDA prevalence, Hgb/Hct levels, and iron supplementation intake rates.
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of IDA was 3.29% (boys: 4.23%, girls: 2.1%).
- Patients over 24 months had significantly higher Hemoglobin (Hgb) and Hematocrit (Hct) levels compared to those aged 6-12 months.
- Iron supplementation adherence was low; only 44% of patients older than 12 months completed the recommended 8-month course.
Conclusions:
- Prophylactic iron supplementation has shown a positive effect in reducing IDA prevalence.
- Inadequate adherence to iron supplementation protocols limits the project's overall effectiveness.
- Enhanced strategies are necessary to improve the uptake of prophylactic iron supplementation and address IDA as a public health issue.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of our hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and effects of the IDA prevention project of the Turkish Ministry of Health which was started in 2004. The recommended dose of prophylactic iron supplementation was 1-2 mg/kg/day. The files of 1519 patients who were hospitalized to Konya Education and Research Hospital Pediatrics Clinic were reviewed. A total of 50 patients consisting of 35 boys and 15 girls with the mean age of 16,59 ± 1,68 months were included into the study. The prevalence of IDA was 3.29% (boys: 4.23%, girls: 2.1%). Hgb and Hct of the patients >24 months were significantly higher than those of the patients with the age of 6-12 months. Iron supplementation receiving rates were very low. Of the 28 patients older than 12 months, only 44% of them had received a full course of iron supplementation for 8 months. In conclusion, although prophylactic iron supplementation lowered the prevalences of IDA, receiving rates of iron supplementation were not adequate. While IDA is still a public health problem, prophylactic approaches should be carried out more effectively.
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