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Assessment of Risk Factors for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Infants and Young Children: A Case-Control Study
Audrone Muleviciene1, Natalija Sestel2, Sigita Stankeviciene2
11 Clinic of Children's Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University , Vilnius, Lithuania .
Insights
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in young children is linked to prematurity and low birth weight. Nutritional counseling is crucial, especially for infants with rapid weight gain and low dietary diversity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Hematology
Background:
- Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is prevalent in Lithuanian children aged 0-35 months.
- Limited research exists on IDA risk factors in this specific pediatric age group.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for early intervention and prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key risk factors for IDA development in infants and young children.
- To investigate the influence of medical history and dietary habits on IDA.
- To provide insights for targeted nutritional guidance in early childhood.
Main Methods:
- A prospective case-control study design was employed.
- Participants were categorized into three groups: IDA infants (IDA-In), IDA children (IDA-Ch), and healthy controls (HCs).
- Data collection focused on medical history, birth characteristics, and dietary patterns.
Main Results:
- Infants in the IDA-In group had higher rates of prematurity, low birth weight (LBW), and rapid weight gain.
- Lower diet diversity was observed in the IDA-In group compared to IDA-Ch and HCs.
- Later introduction of meat and increased consumption of sugar-added products were noted issues.
Conclusions:
- Prematurity, LBW, and rapid weight gain are significant risk factors for IDA in infants.
- Poor dietary diversity and suboptimal complementary feeding practices contribute to IDA.
- Enhanced nutritional counseling is recommended, particularly for at-risk infants.
Introduction:
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common in children aged 0-35 months in Lithuania. Nevertheless, there are no studies investigating IDA in this age group. We aimed to identify the major risk factors for disease development focusing on medical history and dietary habits.
Methods:
A prospective case-control study was conducted in a university hospital. The enrolled cohort was divided into three groups: IDA infants (IDA-In; n = 36, aged 3-11 months), IDA children (IDA-Ch; n = 23, aged 12-32 months), and healthy controls (HCs; n = 32, aged 6-34 months).
Results:
There was a higher number of premature, low birth weight (LBW), and faster gaining weight infants in the IDA-In group. Their diet diversity was lower than IDA-Ch and HC. In contrast, the IDA-Ch group had no signs of impaired iron stores at birth or higher iron need for fast growth; their diet diversity was similar to that of HC, but meat was introduced later as compared with those in the IDA-In and HC groups. Consumption of cow's milk was rather low among all study participants, but consumption of sugar-added products was found to be a new emerging problem. Exclusive breastfeeding did not differ in duration and prevalence; the age for introduction of complementary foods was similar in all groups.
Conclusions:
Low compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations on breastfeeding and complementary feeding suggests an urgent need for nutritional counseling in early childhood, especially in premature, LBW, and fast gaining weight infants.
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