RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency still remains the most common single nutrient deficiency disorder in the world, especially among young children and adolescent girls. As little is recently known about iron deficiency in infants and preschool children in Korea, this study is aimed to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency in healthy population and to determine the proportion of children in whom iron deficiency goes undetected using the current screening technique. METHODS: We collected venous samples from 410 apparently healthy preschool children during March to June, 1997, as a part of a regular health check-up program. We measured hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume(MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH), serum ferritin, serum iron, and total iron binding capacity(TIBC). RESULTS: A total of 410 infants and preschool children aged 1~6 years were included in this study. The prevalence of anemia was 7.9%(3/38) in infants and children aged 1~2 years, 6.3%(12/190) in 3~4 years and 1.6%(3/182) in 5~6 years. The prevalence of iron deficiency(ferritin <10 ng/mL or transferrin saturation <10%) was 31.6%(12/38) in 1~2 years, 23.7%(45/190) in 3~4 years and 14.3%(26/182) in 5~6 years. The prevalence of IDA was 5.3% (2/38) in 1~2 years, 1.1% (2/190) in 3~4 years and 0.5%(1/182) in 5~6 years. Microcytic anemia was found in only 2 cases, both of which is included in 1~2 years of age. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of iron deficiency and IDA was relatively high in 1~2 years of age, critical period for neurologic development. Nutritional education including iron fortification for mothers having caring babies especially of this age group should be warranted.