Inadequacies in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia among children registered in the national program of iron supplementation in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: to identify inadequacies in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia among children enrolled in the National Program of Iron Supplementation (PNSF) and treated at public primary health centers in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Method: a cross-sectional study was performed using secondary data obtained from the InfoSaúde system. Information was obtained on the ferrous sulfate dose prescribed for treating iron deficiency anemia, as well as demographic and anthropometric data of all children enrolled in the program in 2010. STATA 11.0 software was used in the analysis and p-values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. Results: sixty-eight (68) of the 834 children enrolled in the program in 2010 were diagnosed as anemic; 58 of whom received an indication to use ferrous sulfate. Conclusion: children under six months of age (65.1%), living in economically deprived areas (66.7%) and with a height/age Z-score ≥ -1.0 (52.1%) were more prone to receive inadequate supplement dosage (<3 mg/kg/day). The results are relevant to educate health professionals about their role in effectively treating iron deficiency anemia.