title: Iron Deficiency and Iron-deficiency Anemia in Toddlers Ages 18 to 36 Months: A Prospective Study.
abstract: In young children, iron deficiency (ID)-the most common cause of anemia-may adversely affect long-term neurodevelopment and behavior. We prospectively evaluated the prevalence of ID and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in 256 healthy 18- to 36-month-old children in Northern Israel. Complete blood count and ferritin evaluation were performed, and risk factors were assessed. Hemoglobin (Hgb) was compared with first-year routine screening. Complete data were obtained from 208 children: 56.2% were boys; the mean age was 26.1±5.27 months. A prevalence of 5.8% IDA, 16.3% ID without anemia, 9.6% anemia with normal ferritin, and 68.3% normal Hgb and ferritin was found. In nonanemic infants at 1 year of age (n=156), ID/IDA was found in 19.9%, and 12.8% became anemic at study evaluation. Despite iron supplementation in the first year, and normal Hgb at first-year screening, ID and IDA were still prevalent, and might develop during the second year of life. Recognition of this child subset and consideration of iron supplementation are mandatory.
authors.affiliation: *Pediatric Department B and Pediatric Hematology Unit, Emek Medical Center, Afula ‡Clalit Health Services, Northern District †The Ruth and Baruch Rappaport School of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Carina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Shira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harpaz
authors.forename: Isam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Muklashi
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lumelsky
authors.forename: Ina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Komisarchik
authors.forename: Ilia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Katzap
authors.forename: Manhal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abu Hanna
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koren
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron