title: Incidence and risk factors associated with iron deficiency anaemia among hospitalised Lebanese infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in hospitalised 6- to 24-month-old infants in rural versus urban settings. The secondary objective was to determine associated risk factors in rural versus urban settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 6-month prospective multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted in paediatrics departments of three Lebanese hospitals. Preterm to term infants aged 6-24 months were included. Infants with blood disorders, chronic infections, congenital immunodeficiency and mental or congenital growth retardation were excluded. Incidence of IDA was assessed using haematologic laboratory values, while risk factors were assessed using questionnaires addressed to infants' caregivers. For data analysis, P values, chi-squared and logistic regression were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 520 screened infants, a total of 100 patients were selected. Thirty-seven per cent of patients were anaemic with haemoglobin levels <11 g/dl. Significant risk factors included: exclusive breastfeeding for more than 6 months (95% CI, 1.03 to 8.9; P = 0.043), low family income (95% CI, 0.19 to 0.98; P = 0.045), residing in rural areas (95% CI, 0.064 to 0.0509; P < 0.001), inadequate maternal iron supply (95% CI, 1.01 to 8.26; P = 0.05), low maternal education level (95% CI, 0.07 to 0.88; P = 0.03) and lack of infant iron supply (95% CI, 1.39 to 8.41; P = 0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Incidence of IDA among Lebanese infants is moderate and multifactorial. High maternal education level, urban residence, giving iron supplements to exclusively breastfed infants starting from 6 months of age, adequate family income and iron supplementation in both mother and infant are significant protective factors against anaemia in this population.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Razan Ghattas
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Mhanna
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Mohamad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahal
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Mohamad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iskandarani
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Dalal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hammoudi
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: haemoglobin; incidence; infants; iron deficiency anaemia; risk factors