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Severe iron-deficiency anemia still an issue in toddlers

Gabrielle Paoletti1, Debra L Bogen2, A Kim Ritchey3

  • 1University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Clinical Pediatrics
|July 4, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Severe iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) remains a significant health issue in toddlers, strongly linked to excessive cow's milk intake. Early screening for IDA is crucial for continued toddler health and development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Nutritional Anemia
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Chronic, severe iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in early childhood poses risks for irreversible developmental deficits.
  • While infant IDA has declined, toddlers (13-36 months) remain vulnerable.
  • Excessive cow's milk consumption is a suspected contributor to IDA in toddlers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence of severe IDA in toddlers.
  • To investigate the association between severe IDA and high cow's milk intake in this age group.
  • To emphasize the need for continued IDA screening in toddler care.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of children aged 6-36 months.
  • Inclusion criteria: severe microcytic anemia (hemoglobin <9 g/dL, MCV <75 fL).
  • Data collected on demographics, symptoms, physical findings, and dietary intake (cow's milk).

Main Results:

  • 68 children with severe IDA identified; 84% were toddlers (13-36 months).
  • Mean hemoglobin was 6.0 g/dL, mean MCV was 54.0 fL.
  • Excessive cow's milk intake (>24 oz/day) was reported in 47 of 48 children with intake data.

Conclusions:

  • Severe IDA persists as a significant problem in toddlers, despite public health efforts.
  • High cow's milk consumption strongly correlates with severe IDA in this population.
  • Routine screening for IDA is essential for toddler healthcare.
Abstract

Keywords:
anemiachildfemalefood habitshumansinfantiron deficiencymalemilkpreschoolretrospective studiestoddler

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