Iron-deficiency anemia in Nunavik: pregnancy and infancy.
OBJECTIVE
This paper documents the problem of iron-deficiency anemia in the Inuit region of Nunavik, in Northern Quebec, particularly among pregnant women and infants. It also addresses the issue of Helicobacter pylori gastritis as a possible cause of anemia in this population.


METHODS
Data on anemia in pregnancy are from routinely collected prenatal records. Data on anemia in infants are drawn from blood samples collected for a study on the impact of environmental contaminants. Helicobacter serologies were done on cord-blood specimens from 100 consecutive births screened for contaminant exposure. For comparison, serologies were done on a series of cord-blood specimens from 99 births in Southern Quebec.


RESULTS
By term, 40% of pregnant women in Nunavik are anemic (Hgb < 115 g/L). Of infants aged 9-14 months, 58% are anemic (Hgb < 110 g/L), and among the remaining 42%, over half have depleted iron stores. Twenty-seven percent of the Nunavik sample had positive or equivocal Helicobacter serologies. In the comparison group, 10% were positive or equivocal.
Hodgins
S
S
Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, Kuujjuaq, PQ, Canada.
Dewailly
E
E
Chatwood
S
S
Bruneau
S
S
Bernier
F
F
D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001110:Arctic Regions; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004930:Inuit; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012698:Serologic Tests