Iron deficiency anemia in infants aged 12-15 months in Ahwaz, Iran.
BACKGROUND
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common nutritional problems in the world, especially in developing countries. Infants aged between 4 and 24 months are among the population groups that are most affected by iron deficiency (ID). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ID and IDA in infants aged 12-15 months, living in Ahwaz, southwest of Iran.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-six infants participated in the study. The mean corpuscular volume and hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin and hematocrit levels were measured. Anemia was defined when Hb < 11 g/dL and ID when ferritin < 12 microg/mL.


RESULTS
The prevalence of ID and IDA was 31.7 and 26.2%, respectively. The tendency to have IDA in infants fed with cow's milk and infants who did not receive ferrous sulfate was higher than in the other subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
ID and IDA are common among infants aged 12-15 months living in Ahwaz, Iran. Maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding up to the 4-6th month of life and iron supplementation for the target group is needed.
Monajemzadeh
Seyed Mehdi
SM
Pediatric Unit, Golestan Hospital, Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, Iran. monajemzadehmd@yahoo.com
Zarkesh
Mohammad Reza
MR