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Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and to assess their effects on growth.

Background: The most common micronutrient deficit worldwide is iron insufficiency. The health risks associated with both non-anemic and anemic iron deficiencies include impaired growth and neurocognitive development.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on randomly selected, apparently healthy 1200 children aged from 6 months up to 11 years during the period of October 2021 to March 2023. History and a full clinical examination with anthropometric assessment were completed before laboratory screening for all participants, including a complete blood count (CBC), serum ferritin (SF), and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Results: The total national representative sample from four Egyptian governorates was 1200 participants after the exclusion of non-eligible children. Results showed an IDA prevalence of 35.75%, while ID was 16.92%. The prevalence of IDA was the highest (60.66%) among infants below 2 years, with no significant differences between both sexes regarding the prevalence of ID and IDA. There was a strong relationship between both wasting and stunting with ID. Also, obese children had a significantly high prevalence of IDA (80%) (P-value< 0.001).

Conclusion: The high frequency of ID is a severe public health problem in developing countries like Egypt, especially in children under 2 years. The high prevalence of iron deficiency affects growth at different ages. So, early screening by SF and hemoglobin (Hb) is recommended.

Subject Area

Pediatrics

Article Type

Original Study

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