The impact of anemia on child mortality: an updated review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Hematology

Background:

• Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and child mortality are significant global public health issues.
• The precise contribution of IDA to child mortality remains inadequately quantified.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the association between hemoglobin levels and mortality risk in children.
• To estimate the potential mortality reduction achievable through increased hemoglobin levels.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search and screening for studies with anemia and mortality data in children (28 days to 12 years).
• Meta-analysis of data from nearly 12,000 children across six African countries.
• Estimation of the odds ratio for mortality associated with a 1-g/dL increase in hemoglobin (Hb).

Main Results:

• A meta-analysis of data from 11,996 children revealed a combined odds ratio of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.62-0.93) for mortality per 1-g/dL increase in Hb.
• This indicates a 24% reduction in the risk of death for every 1-g/dL rise in Hb.
• Simple iron supplementation strategies have proven effective in achieving such Hb increases.

Conclusions:

• Increasing hemoglobin levels by 1 g/dL in children aged 28 days to five years could prevent approximately 1.8 million deaths annually.
• Addressing iron deficiency anemia through supplementation presents a feasible public health intervention to reduce child mortality.