title: Severe Iron Deficiency Anemia in Infants and Young Children, Requiring Hospital Admission.
abstract: Objective. This study evaluated patient characteristics, milk intake, and associated lab findings of children 6 months to 5 years old, admitted to a children's hospital with severe iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). Methods. A chart review was conducted on patients admitted with microcytic anemia (hemoglobin concentration less than 7 g/dL), accompanied by a low serum ferritin and/or low serum iron level between January 2000 and December 2006. Results. A total of 18 children with severe IDA were evaluated. Many had parents with private insurance and jobs. Almost all children drank >24 ounces of milk daily. Hemoglobin on admission was 3.8 g/dL, and the mean of the patients' mean corpuscular volume was 52.8 fL. Median iron levels were 4 µg/dL. Conclusions. Severe IDA is still prevalent in children, yet physicians may not perform necessary testing. The devastating long-term effects of severe IDA should prompt clinicians to screen for severe IDA in children regardless of absent risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Advocate Children's Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lundblad
authors.affiliation: University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.affiliation: Advocate Children's Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mangurten
authors.affiliation: Advocate Children's Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Denise B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Angst
keywords: anemia; child nutrition disorders; infant nutrition disorders; iron deficiency; milk; recommended dietary intake