Prevalencia de anemia y estado nutricional de escolares del area periurbana de Sucre, Bolivia

Abstract

Background: There is limited data on the nutritional status and the prevalence of anemia among schoolchildren of Bolivia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency and nutritional status by anthropometry in children of a suburban area in the Municipality of Sucre, Bolivia. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted involving all schoolchildren aged 6 to 10 years (n=195) of a suburban school of Sucre-Bolivia (2750 m over sea level). We measured weight and height and calculated Z score for weight/age, height/age, and BMI/age indices using WHO standards. Blood samples were drawn to determine hemoglobin (Hb) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Anemia was defined using cut-offs points adjusted for age and corrected for altitude (Hb < 13.4 d/dl). Results: The prevalence of malnutrition observed by Z scores of height/age and weight/ age were 20% and 8, 7%, respectively, and mean BMI z score was -0,07. Of these children, 17.9% showed anemia (17.4% iron deficiency anemia), 22.6% iron deficiency without anemia and 19.5% depleted iron stores. Conclusions: The school age children from the suburban area of Sucre-Bolivia presented a mild prevalence of anemia and medium prevalence of stunting.