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Hospital-Based Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia among Pre-School Children in Dubai
Wafaa Faysal1, Abdul Rehman Z Zaidi2,3, Sameer Al-Abdi4
1Pediatrics, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Dubai, ARE.
Insights
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a significant health issue in children. This study found a higher prevalence of IDA in young male and non-Emirati children in Dubai.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Hematology
Background:
- Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a major global cause of disability, particularly impacting childhood health.
- IDA prevalence is notably higher in developing nations, including Arab countries, compared to Western regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in children aged one to five years.
- To identify demographic factors associated with IDA in a tertiary care setting in Dubai, UAE.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patient data from a tertiary care hospital in Dubai, UAE.
- Data collected for children aged 1-5 years between 2016 and 2018.
Main Results:
- A significant occurrence of iron deficiency anemia was observed.
- IDA was found to be more prevalent in male children.
- Non-Emirati children exhibited a higher rate of IDA.
Conclusions:
- Targeted screening and iron supplementation are crucial for reducing IDA rates.
- Nationwide studies are necessary to pinpoint high-risk areas for IDA within the UAE.
Introduction:
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is an internationally recognized leading cause of disability and contributes to childhood morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of IDA is higher in developing countries, especially in Arab countries, compared to the west.
Methods:
To assess the prevalence of IDA, we analyzed the data of children aged between one to five years seen at Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group's tertiary care hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 2016 to 2018.
Results:
We found a high occurrence of IDA in male children and non-Emirati children.
Conclusion:
Appropriate screening and iron supplementation are required to see a decline in the rate of IDA. Further nationwide studies are required to identify the highly prevalent and high-risk areas of IDA in the UAE.
