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Published on: January 19, 2024
[Risk factors for nutritional iron deficiency anemia in children]
Qing-Ling Lei1, Bi-Tao Dai, Ying Xian
1Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, China. xygyl2@yahoo.com.cn.
Insights
Nutritional iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is prevalent in young children, with low birth weight and a history of infections or surgery being key risk factors for severe anemia. Early introduction of solid foods is crucial for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Context:
- Nutritional iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a significant global health concern, particularly affecting infants and young children.
- Understanding the specific risk factors contributing to the severity of IDA is crucial for effective intervention strategies.
Purpose:
- To investigate the clinical characteristics of nutritional IDA in children.
- To identify and analyze risk factors associated with the severity of anemia in pediatric IDA cases.
- To establish a foundation for improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric IDA.
Summary:
- This retrospective study analyzed 372 children with IDA, finding that 79.9% were aged 6 months to 2 years.
- Key risk factors identified for severe anemia included low birth weight and a history of lower respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, trauma, or surgery.
- Improper feeding patterns, such as delayed introduction of solid foods, were also significant contributors.
Impact:
- Highlights the critical role of birth weight and early childhood medical history in the severity of pediatric IDA.
- Emphasizes the ongoing importance of appropriate feeding practices in preventing and managing IDA.
- Provides data to inform public health initiatives and clinical guidelines for pediatric anemia management.
Objective:
To investigate the clinical features of nutritional iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and analyze the risk factors for the severity of anemia, and to provide a basis for the prevention and clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 372 children with IDA to investigate the risk factors for the severity of IDA.
Results:
Of 372 cases, the male-to-female ratio of these patients was 2.72 : 1. Of all cases, 79.9% were aged 6 months to 2 years, and 30.7% were premature infants; 22.9% had a birth weight of < 2.5 kg, and 77.1% had a birth weight of ≥2.5 kg; 36.0% were delivered by natural birth, and 64.0% were delivered by caesarean section; 79.3% were not given solid foods in time; 46.2% had a history of lower respiratory tract infection/recurrent upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, trauma, or surgery. The univariate analysis showed that age, birth weight, gestational age, timely introduction of solid foods, and a history of lower respiratory tract infection/recurrent upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, trauma, or surgery were associated with the severity of anemia. The multivariate analysis showed that birth weight and the mentioned medical history were associated with the severity of anemia.
Conclusions:
Nutritional IDA is common in children aged 6 months to 2 years. Nowadays, improper feeding pattern is still one of the main causes of IDA. Birth weight and a history of lower respiratory tract infection/recurrent upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, trauma, or surgery are closely associated with the severity of anemia.
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