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Iron deficiency in Bourke children
M F Harris1, B Cameron, S Florin
1School of Community Medicine University of NSW, Australia.
Insights
Iron deficiency anemia is more prevalent in Aboriginal children. This 1986 Bourke study found lower hemoglobin and ferritin levels in Aboriginal children, linked to living conditions. However, rates have declined since 1971.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Hematology
Background:
- Iron deficiency anemia poses significant health risks in young children.
- Previous studies indicated higher rates of iron deficiency in Aboriginal populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of iron deficiency indicators in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in Bourke.
- To identify factors associated with iron deficiency in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 121 Aboriginal and 91 non-Aboriginal children aged 6 years and under.
- Blood samples were collected for hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and serum ferritin level analysis.
- Data on weight and living conditions were also collected.
Main Results:
- 12.4% of Aboriginal children had hemoglobin below 100 g/l, compared to 3.3% of non-Aboriginal children.
- 15.7% of Aboriginal children had mean corpuscular volume less than 80, versus 3.3% in non-Aboriginal children.
- Serum ferritin levels below 10 ng/ml were found in 17.4% of Aboriginal children and 6.6% of non-Aboriginal children, associated with low weight and crowded living conditions.
Conclusions:
- Iron deficiency indicators were significantly more prevalent in Aboriginal children in Bourke in 1986.
- Despite the high prevalence, there was a noted decrease in hemoglobin levels below 100 g/l among Aboriginal children under 5 years from 1971 to 1986.
Abstract:
A study of 121 Aboriginal and 91 non-Aboriginal children aged 6 years and under was carried out in Bourke during 6 months of 1986. These children were selected either because they were admitted to hospital and had an incidental blood test or were screened at various childcare and preschool facilities in the town. A haemoglobin level of below 100 g/l was found in 12.4% of Aboriginal children compared with only 3.3% of non-Aboriginal children. A mean corpuscular volume of less than 80 was found in 15.7% of Aboriginal children and 3.3% of non-Aboriginal children. Of the total sample, 17.4% of Aboriginal children and 6.6% of non-Aboriginal children had a serum ferritin level of less than 10 ng/ml. These markers of iron deficiency were associated with low weight and crowded living conditions in Aboriginal children. The prevalence of haemoglobin below 100 g/l among Aboriginal children under 5 years has fallen from 24.7% in 1971 to 14.1% in 1986.