The prevalence of Iron deficiency anemia in 1-5 years old children referring to Kerman medical care and health centers in 1998

Abstract: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common nutritional problems in the world. Children under five years old are considered as the high risk group consisting a high proportion of IDA patients. In this group, due to the specific conditions, the complication of anemia may lead to serious consequences. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of IDA in 1-5 years old children. A total of 320 of the subjects were selected by two-stage sampling method and the levels of Hb, Hct, MCV MCH, MCHC, serum ferritin, serum iron, TIBC, and percentage of transferrin saturation were determined. Results revealed that 22.5% of children had depleted iron stores (as defined by serum ferritin less than 10 ng/ml), 7.2% had Hb less than 11 g/dl, and 35% of them had percentage of transferrin saturation less than 15%. In this study a significant correlation was observed between iron deficiency (Determined by serum ferritin level). Percent of transferrin saturation and variables such as age, sources of nutritional diet advice and iron. Significant correlation were also seen between anemia based on hemoglobin deficiency and the sources of nutritional advice (P