title: Iron deficiency in infancy: is an immigrant more at risk?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Iron deficiency with or without anaemia is the most common deficiency in the world. Its prevalence is higher in developing countries and in low socioeconomic populations. We aimed at determining and comparing the prevalence of iron deficiency in an immigrant and non-immigrant population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Every child scheduled for a routine check-up at 12 months of age was allowed to participate in the study. Haemoglobin, ferritin, anthropometric data, familial and nutritional status were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  586 infants were eligible and 463 were included in the study as they had assessment data at 12 months. Children were divided into two groups: immigrants' children and non-immigrants' children. The global prevalence of iron deficiency was 5.7% at 12 months. A significant difference for iron deficiency was noticed between the groups at 12 months (p = 0.01). Among risk factors, immigration (odds ratio 2.91; 95% CI 1.05-8.04) and unemployment (odds ratio 6.08; 95% CI 1.18-31.30) had the higher odds in the multivariable analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of iron deficiency in the immigrant population is higher than in non-immigrants. Immigration and the category of employment are risk factors for iron deficiency, as starting baby cereals before 9 months is a protective factor. Good socioeconomic conditions in Switzerland, the quality of food for pregnant women and young infants may be the explanation. A study up to five years of age is necessary before drawing general conclusions on infancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Lausanne University Hospital, Site Hôpital de l'Enfance, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marie-Elise
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Verga
authors.affiliation: Private practice, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Widmeier-Pasche
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Lausanne University Hospital, Site Hôpital de l'Enfance, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beck-Popovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Lausanne University Hospital, Site Hôpital de l'Enfance, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jean-Yves
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Pauchard
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Lausanne University Hospital, Site Hôpital de l'Enfance, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gehri
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000208:ethnology*; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005502:Food; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014478:Unemployment
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D005293:Ferritins