Iron intake and iron deficiency in young children

• Main Author: Al-Othman, Abdulaziz Mohammad
• Published: University of Edinburgh 1998
• Subjects: 618.92
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.640315

These studies have sought to assess iron intake in young children (9-36 months), to identify nutritional and other factors that may affect iron intake and iron status. A 4-day weighted food inventory, a semi-quantitative food frequency and social questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were used. Haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), serum ferritin (SF), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and haematocrit (Hct) were estimated in blood. <I>Studies in Saudi Arabia</I>: 104 healthy children randomly chosen from eight different health centres have been studied either longitudinally (n=55) or cross sectionally (n=49). Twenty four previously diagnosed iron deficient children from three hospitals were studied. <I>Studies in Edinburgh</I>: 62 healthy children aged 9 and 36 months old were studied. They were those whose parents agreed to participate from a larger number chosen randomly from children registered at three health centres in Edinburgh using the Lothian Health Board list. <I>Prevalence of Anaemia in Children at The Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) and Diet</I>: The prevalence of anaemia over a 2 months period in children whose blood samples were analysed in the Haematology Dept. was calculated. In 59 children whose parents completed a semi-quantitative food frequency and social questionnaire, of those, the iron intake and iron status was studied in detail, 41 with Hb below 11 g/dl, and 18 with normal Hb. Iron intakes less than both the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) and the Lower Recommended Nutrient Intake (LRNI) have been shown to be common in children studied. Breakfast cereals and meat in addition to infant formula are important dietary factors which positively influence iron intake and iron status in this age group who are vulnerable to iron deficiency anaemia. These foods should be strongly recommended to parents for inclusion in the post-weaning diet of children of this age. A food frequency questionnaire can be used to identify children at risk.