UNLABELLED: An adequate iron status is of vital importance for health and development in infancy and early childhood. Iron status was evaluated in a group of full-term Norwegian children followed longitudinally, at the ages of 6 mo (n = 278), 12 mo (n = 249) and 24 mo (n = 231) by measuring haemoglobin (Hb), mean cell volume (MCV) and serum ferritin. At 6, 12 and 24 mo of age, 3, 10 and 12%, respectively, had iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) defined as Hb <110 g/l in combination with ferritin <15 microg/l. With more restrictive criteria for defining IDA (Hb <110 g/l or <105 g/l in combination with ferritin <12 microg/l), the prevalence decreased to 1-2% at 6 mo and 2-5% at 12 and 24 mo of age. If children with a history of fever in the previous month were excluded, the proportion of children with depleted iron stores (ferritin <10 microg/l) increased from 2 to 3% at 6 mo, from 5 to 7% at 12 mo and from 9 to 13% at 24 mo. CONCLUSION: Mild iron deficiency anaemia exists among otherwise healthy Norwegian infants and toddlers. The prevention and early treatment of iron deficiency should be a priority for the child health services.
UNLABELLED: An adequate iron status is of vital importance for health and development in infancy and early childhood. Iron status was evaluated in a group of full-term Norwegian children followed longitudinally, at the ages of 6 mo (n = 278), 12 mo (n = 249) and 24 mo (n = 231) by measuring haemoglobin (Hb), mean cell volume (MCV) and serum ferritin. At 6, 12 and 24 mo of age, 3, 10 and 12%, respectively, had iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) defined as Hb <110 g/l in combination with ferritin <15 microg/l. With more restrictive criteria for defining IDA (Hb <110 g/l or <105 g/l in combination with ferritin <12 microg/l), the prevalence decreased to 1-2% at 6 mo and 2-5% at 12 and 24 mo of age. If children with a history of fever in the previous month were excluded, the proportion of children with depleted iron stores (ferritin <10 microg/l) increased from 2 to 3% at 6 mo, from 5 to 7% at 12 mo and from 9 to 13% at 24 mo. CONCLUSION: Mild iron deficiency anaemia exists among otherwise healthy Norwegian infants and toddlers. The prevention and early treatment of iron deficiency should be a priority for the child health services.
Authors: Elaine K McCarthy; Carol Ní Chaoimh; Louise C Kenny; Jonathan O'B Hourihane; Alan D Irvine; Deirdre M Murray; Mairead E Kiely Journal: Matern Child Nutr Date: 2017-04-27 Impact factor: 3.092
Authors: Betsy Lozoff; Mary Lu Angelilli; Jigna Zatakia; Sandra W Jacobson; Agustin Calatroni; John Beard Journal: Am J Hematol Date: 2007-02 Impact factor: 10.047
Authors: L Uijterschout; M Domellöf; M Abbink; S K Berglund; I van Veen; P Vos; L Rövekamp; B Boersma; C Hudig; R Vos; J B van Goudoever; F Brus Journal: Eur J Clin Nutr Date: 2014-10-15 Impact factor: 4.016
Authors: Elaine K McCarthy; Carol Ní Chaoimh; Jonathan O'B Hourihane; Louise C Kenny; Alan D Irvine; Deirdre M Murray; Mairead Kiely Journal: Matern Child Nutr Date: 2016-08-09 Impact factor: 3.092