The eff ect of iron on growth and frequency of infection in infants

Sideropenična anemija najčešća je defi citarna anemija u svijetu. Zahvaljujući brojnim primarnim i sekundarnim preventivnim mjerama, njena prevalencija u razvijenim zemljama je u značajnom padu, dok je u nerazvijenom svijetu i dalje veliki javnozdravstveni problem. Pozitivan utjecaj željeza na djetetov rani psihomotorički razvoj desetljećima je poznat, dok utjecaj na linearni rast i učestalost infekcija ostaje kontroverzan. Rezultati našeg istraživanja upućuju na relativno visoku prevalenciju sideropenične anemije u populaciji hrvatske dojenčadi (19,7% u dobi od 4 mjeseca, 32,4% u dobi od 6-9 mjeseci i 16,4% u dobi od 12 mjeseci). Željezo primijenjeno u profi laktičnim dozama, sukladno važećim smjernicama, ne utječe na linearni rast i učestalost infekcija (p>0,05), stoga je pouzdana i poželjna prevencija. S obzirom na dokazane negativne učinke sideropenične anemije, potrebno je podizati svijest roditelja o važnosti adekvatne prevencije i terapije anemije te poticati pedijatre na razini primarne zdravstvene zaštite na sustavno provođenje primarne i sekundarne prevencije.Iron defi ciency anemia is the world’s most common defi ciency anemia. Owing to numerous primary and secondary preventive measures, its prevalence in developed countries is continuously and signifi cantly declining, whereas in underdeveloped countries it still poses a major public health problem. The favorable infl uence of iron on early motor development has been known for decades, while its eff ects on linear growth and frequency of infection are still a matter of controversy. Our survey revealed the prevalence of iron defi ciency anemia in the population of Croatian infants to be rather high. Prophylactic supplementation of iron, as suggested by the latest recommendations, does not aff ect linear growth or the incidence of infectious illness, therefore presenting a safe and desirable preventive measure. As the harmful eff ects of iron defi ciency anemia on the children’s wellbeing have been established, it is necessary to raise awareness of the importance of its prevention and treatment among parents and primary care pediatricians