Prevalence and risk factors of iron deficiency anemia among under five year's old children attending pediatrics hospitals in Baghdad

ABSTRACT

Anemia [low hemoglobin concentration] is a late-stage indicator of iron deficiency and has serious negative consequences on health, mental development Iron deficiency anemia, remains one of the most severe and important nutritional deficiencies in the world today. Iron deficiency impairs the cognitive development of children from infancy through to adolescence. This cross-sectional study included 502 under 5 years old children attending 5 different pediatrics hospitals [Ibn Al baladi, Al Eskan, Al Aeloiyah, Al Kathomiyah and Al Mansur] in 3 health directorates [Rusafah, Kurkh and Medical city] from April to June 2009, History of anemia was determined, anthropometric measurements [Weight and height] of the children were recorded and laboratory tests were done for each child. The results show that wasting was [7.4%] and below the national average in Stunting [12.4%] and equal in underweight [9.0%] indicating that malnutrition is still a health problem in Baghdad, Three hundred and three [70.3%] out of [502] children participated in the study had anemia with a mean hemoglobin level of [9.4 gm/dL], a hundred and sixty six [33.1%] had Iron deficiency anemia, Mother's and Father's education have a statistical reliable association with Iron deficiency anemia with p-values = 0.031, 0.021 respectively, Age groups indicate an evidence of association with Iron deficiency anemia with a chi square [x[2] =13.38, df=4 and a p-value <0.05 [P=0.01]. Our definition of iron deficiency included having abnormal values for 2 of 3 tests [ZPP, TS, and SF], with high percentages of Anemia [70.3%] and IDA [33.1%] and with considerations paid to WHO categories of anemia as a public health problem; Anemia stills a ruthless health problem in Iraq that needs to pay a strict attention and multisectorial coordination