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Iron Deficiency Anaemia Screening and Management in Young Children: India and Southeast Asia Consensus
Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin1, Hamid Jan Jan Mohamed2, Sri Wahyu Taher3
1Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, 59100, Malaysia, um.edu.my.
Insights
Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is common in children. Experts recommend annual anaemia screening from 9 months to 5 years and nutritional interventions to prevent and manage IDA.
Area of Science:
- Maternal and Child Health
- Pediatric Hematology
Background:
- Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a significant health concern for children in India and Southeast Asia.
- Expert consensus is needed to address the high prevalence of IDA in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish expert consensus on the screening, management, and prevention of IDA in children.
- To improve awareness and provide evidence-based recommendations for healthcare professionals.
Main Methods:
- The Delphi method was employed, involving two rounds of expert feedback and voting.
- Eight primary experts formulated questions, and 18 secondary experts participated in the consensus process.
- Consensus was defined as at least 70% agreement among experts on key statements.
Main Results:
- Twelve consensus statements were achieved, guiding key areas of IDA care.
- Recommended initial anaemia screening at 9-12 months, with annual screenings from 1-5 years.
- Emphasized noninvasive screening methods, evaluation for thalassemia, and nutritional interventions like food fortification.
Conclusions:
- Early detection and intervention are critical for mitigating health consequences of childhood IDA.
- Consensus provides a framework for screening, treatment, and prevention strategies.
- Nutritional strategies, including food fortification, are vital for reducing IDA risk.
Abstract:
Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) remains highly prevalent among children in India and many Southeast Asian countries. Experts in maternal and child health have developed a consensus on IDA in children. This consensus aims to improve awareness of IDA, provide recommendations on the screening and management of children at risk of IDA and offer insights into strategies to prevent IDA in children. The consensus was developed using the Delphi method, where eight primary expert members initially formulated questions on IDA screening and management based on a comprehensive literature review, followed by feedback and voting from 18 secondary expert members, achieving consensus with at least 70% agreement. Twelve statements achieved consensus to provide guidance and recommendations on several key areas: the recommended age for initial and annual anaemia screening, the use of noninvasive haemoglobin measurement devices for screening, further evaluations to rule out thalassaemia and IDA in children with anaemia and preventative measures to reduce the risk of IDA. The experts agreed that early detection of anaemia is crucial to mitigate related health consequences in children. It is recommended that all children undergo their first screening for anaemia between the ages 9 and 12 months, followed by annual screenings from the ages 1 to 5 years. In addition, the experts emphasised the importance of nutritional intervention, particularly the fortification of food and milk, to assist in reducing the risk of childhood IDA. By integrating relevant recommendations based on current clinical data and best practices, these consensus statements serve to guide screening, treatment and prevention of IDA among children.
