On the prevalence of iron defi ciency in children and adolescents with growth retardation

Abstract

Iron is a fundamental micro-element in body. Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency around world. Iron deficiency can disarrange physical growth and neurocognitive development of children thorough different ways such as decreasing oxygen transport capacity, decreasing energy production and decreasing the appetite. The aim of this study was to evaluate iron deficiency prevalence in children between 6-18months old in Babol, Iran. This cross sectional study was performed on 100 children and adolescents with growth retardation in Babol. Weight and height of children was measured and comparing with the growth curve indices, Hb and mid MCV of children in percentile Height and weight lesser than 3 was evaluated. In this study, prevalence of anemia in growth retarded children was 35.9% whereas prevalence of microcytic anemia was 20% followed by iron deficiency prevalence of 1.6% and 25%. Average of ferritin level decreased with increasing of severity of growth disorder in children. The results of this study suggest that treatment of growth retarded children with iron supplements can improve their growth. Because data about prevalence of IDA in Iranian children is limited, we suggest further studies to be performed to define an average range of iron concentrations in accordance with other micro-elements such as zinc and copper in children of this area.