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Iron status and dietary iron intake of 6-24-month-old children in Adelaide
P Oti-Boateng1, R Seshadri, S Petrick
1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia, Australia.
Insights
Iron deficiency is prevalent in young children, with Asian infants showing higher rates of iron deficiency anaemia. Factors like age, breastfeeding duration, and cow's milk intake influence iron status in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Chronic iron deficiency in children can lead to anemia and developmental delays.
- Assessing iron status and dietary intake is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the iron status and dietary iron intake of Caucasian and Asian infants aged 6-24 months in metropolitan Adelaide.
- To identify factors contributing to iron deficiency in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 234 healthy infants (82% Caucasian, 18% Asian) aged 6-24 months participated.
- Dietary iron intake was assessed using a semiquantitative diet recall questionnaire.
- Blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin, serum ferritin, serum iron, and transferrin levels to classify iron status (Iron Sufficient, Non-Anemic Iron Deficiency, Iron Deficiency Anemia).
Main Results:
- 69% of Caucasian children were iron sufficient, 25% had non-anemic iron deficiency, and 6% had iron deficiency anemia.
- 72% of Asian children were iron sufficient, 14% had non-anemic iron deficiency, and 14% had iron deficiency anemia.
- Multivariate analysis indicated that older age, longer duration of breastfeeding, and higher cow's milk intake were associated with iron deficiency.
Conclusions:
- Iron deficiency is a common issue among young children in the studied population.
- There is a need for developing and evaluating targeted strategies to prevent iron deficiency anemia in Australian infants.
Objective:
Chronic iron deficiency in children is associated with anaemia and impaired mental and psychomotor development. The aim of this study was to assess the iron status and dietary intake of 6-24-month-old Caucasian and Asian children living in metropolitan Adelaide.
Method:
A total of 234 healthy children (82% Caucasian and 18% Asian) aged 6-24 months were studied. Dietary iron intake of children was estimated from semiquantitative diet recall questionnaire administered to their parents. Blood samples for full blood count, serum ferritin (SF), serum iron (SI) and transferrin (TF) level estimations were obtained by venesection. Based on the laboratory test results, infants were classified as iron sufficient (IS) if the haemoglobin (Hb) concentration was > 110 g L(-1), SF > or = 15 microg L(-1), TF2 3.0 g L(-1), SI > or = 8 micromol L(-1) and iron saturation (ISAT) > or = 12%; or nonanaemic iron deficiency (NAID) if the Hb concentration was > 110 g L(-1) and SF < 15 microg L(-1) or SI < 8 micromol L(-1), TF > 3.0 g L(-1), and ISAT < 12%; or as iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) if the Hb concentration was < 110 g L(-1) in association with SF < 15 microg L(-1) or with SI < 8 micromol L(-1), TF > 3.0 g L(-1) and ISAT < 12%.
Results:
Sixty-nine per cent of Caucasian children were classified IS, 25% as NAID and 6% were IDA; while 72% of Asian children were classified IS, 14% as NAID and 14% were IDA. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that factors associated with iron deficiency (SF
Conclusion:
Iron deficiency is common in our young population. Additional strategies to prevent IDA need be developed and evaluated in Australian infants.