Iron status of children aged 9-36 months in an urban slum Integrated Child Development Services project in Delhi.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the magnitude/severity and possible etiology of anemia and iron deficiency among children 9-36 months of age.


METHODS
A population-based study on the prevalence, etiology of anemia and iron status in 545 children, 9-36 months of age, was conducted in an urban slum ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) project in North-East Delhi. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin was estimated and information on socio-economic, demographic, parasitic infection/infestation and dietary intake was collected.


RESULTS
Prevalence of anemia (using WHO cut-off values of Hb >11.0 g/dl) among children, 9-36 months of age, was 64%, of these 7.8% had severe anemia (Hb >7.0 g/dl). Using 10.0 g/dl as the Hb cut-off point 44% children less than 18 months of age in the present study population were anemic. On a sub-sample study, 88% children were estimated to be iron deficient, with serum ferritin concentration less than 12 microg/L. The peripheral smear red cell morphology showed 33.9% as microcytic-hypochromic and 37.1% as dimorphic. Dimorphic anemia was 55% in moderate anemia group. The energy and iron intakes were 56% and 45%, respectively of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). The parasitic infestation/infection was not related to the prevalence or severity of anemia.


CONCLUSIONS
In Delhi, high prevalence of moderate to severe anemia and iron deficiency with vitamins folate and/or B12 among children under 3 years of age in an ICDS block in operation for 20 years is of concern. Dietary origin was the main cause of anemia in this age group.
Kapoor
Deeksha
D
Department of Women Education, School of Continuing Education, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India.
Agarwal
Kailash N
KN
Sharma
Sushma
S
Kela
Kusum
K
Kaur
Iqbal
I
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002662:Child Health Services; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011204:Poverty Areas; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014505:Urban Population
D007501:Iron