Prevalence and risk factors of iron depletion and iron deficiency anemia among infants in Ottawa-Carleton
1991
Greene-Finestone, L. | Feldman, W. | Heick, H. | Luke, B.
Given the changes in the rates of breast-feeding, universal access to health care and the fourfold increase in the bioavailability of iron in infant cereals, the iron status of a random sample of 320 infants six to 18 months of all social classes was assessed. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) (Hgb <110 g/L) was 3.5% while iron depletion (ID) (serum ferritin < 10 ug/L with Hgb greater than or equal to 110 g/L) was 10.6%. Significant nutritional risk factors for iron deficiency were lack of breast-feeding and iron intake less than 1 mg iron/kg body weight. Low consumption of infant cereal significantly contributed to decreased iron intake. Poor knowledge of iron-rich foods, perceived lack of physicians' counseling on infant nutrition and weight for length percentiles of < 10 or > 90% were contributing factors. The low socioeconomic status group demonstrated a higher prevalence of the nutritional risk factors. Screening for ID and/or IDA should be limited to those infants most at risk, the level of risk being proportionate to the number of risk factors demonstrated.
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