ANEMIA AND IRON DEFICIT ANEMIA IN CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE AND THEIR RELATION WITH IRON CONSUMPTION IN ALIMENTATION, TURBO, ANTIOQUIA, COLOMBIA

Abstract

Objective: to determine the frequency of anemia and iron deficit anemia in relation to the iron content in the alimentation of children from 6 months to five years in Turbo. Methodology and materials: transversal descriptive study of 113 children attending the growth, development and vaccination program clinic, from September 2001 to June 2002 in the Francisco Valderrama Hospital, Turbo. Laboratory tests were Hb ferritin, direct coprological and hidden blood in feces. Dietary iron was studied by a semi structural survey. Results and discussion: Hb average 11.3 g/dL (SD 1.4) Anemia: 48.7%. More affected were minors under one year. Ferritin average: 47.1 Ng/L low ferritin present in 50.4% of children and from those 23.6% show exhaustion of iron deposits. From 55 children with anemia 23.6% show iron de.cit anemia. Average iron consumption 7.1 mg/day. Average heminic iron 3.9 mg /day. Average exclusive maternal lactation: 3 months. Lactation alternates with pasteurized cow milk. From every 10 children under 1 year of age 6 show iron de.cit anemia. Conclusions: anemia, low ferritin and low iron consumption point to a serious public health problem. A clear policy articulated with popular culture is badly needed to prevent this problem and its consequences for the growth, development and cognitive capacities of the children.