Iron deficiency in 1- to 3-year-old children. A pediatric failure?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in children aged 1 to 3 years in an urban population.


METHODS
Venous blood was measured for levels of hemoglobin, ferritin, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin, and lead in children seen for well-child visits. Children with histories of chronic illness, prematurity, blood dyscrasias, and acute illness were excluded.


METHODS
The private practice offices of 4 pediatricians in the New York City area.


METHODS
A consecutive sample of 504 children aged 1 to 3 years was included.


RESULTS
More than one third (35%) of the children demonstrated evidence of iron insufficiency; 7% were iron deficient without anemia, and 10% had iron deficiency anemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Because the association of iron deficiency anemia with mental and psychomotor impairment during the first 2 years of life no longer seems to be in doubt, the high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia found in the 1- to 2-year-old children in this study is disturbing. This suggests the need for greater efforts at the prevention of iron deficiency during the second year of life.
Eden
A N
AN
Department of Pediatrics, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Mir
M A
MA
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D009519:New York City; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards; D015995:Prevalence; D012494:Sampling Studies; D014504:Urban Health
D006454:Hemoglobins; D007854:Lead; D005293:Ferritins