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Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
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Published on: August 22, 2012

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Anemia Among Children Exposed to Polyparasitism in Coastal Kenya

Alicia Chang Cojulun1, Amaya L Bustinduy1, Laura J Sutherland1

  • 1Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio; Great Ormond Street NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Division of Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Nairobi, Kenya.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|September 2, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Childhood anemia in resource-limited settings is high, linked to young age and malaria. Integrated management addressing iron deficiency and inflammation is crucial for effective treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Anemia is a significant health issue for children in resource-limited areas with high parasite prevalence.
  • Understanding anemia's multifactorial causes in endemic regions is critical for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms and correlates of anemia in Kenyan children.
  • To identify key risk factors contributing to childhood anemia in a setting with endemic parasitic infections.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 254 Kenyan children aged preschool to early school age.
  • Analysis included complete blood counts, iron studies, and assessment for parasitic infections (malaria, Schistosoma, hookworm).
  • Statistical evaluation using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to determine independent correlates of anemia.

Main Results:

  • A high prevalence of anemia (79%) was observed in the study population.
  • Younger age (<9 years) and asymptomatic malaria infection were the strongest independent predictors of anemia.
  • Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) was prevalent (84% of those with iron studies), with a significant proportion also showing signs of anemia of inflammation (AI).

Conclusions:

  • Childhood anemia in this Kenyan setting is multifactorial, driven by young age, malaria, iron deficiency, and inflammation.
  • Integrated management strategies addressing both iron deficiency and chronic inflammation are necessary.
  • Early intervention and comprehensive care are vital for combating childhood anemia in endemic regions.

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