Iron and Zinc Status in Preschool Children from Rural Areas in Qalyubiya Governorate

Abstract

Background: Zinc deficiency is an important cause of morbidity due to infectious diseases and growth faltering among young children. Prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia among children is much higher than among adult women and may be partly attributable to the high prevalence of hookworm infestation among children. That study purposed to determine Iron and zinc status in pre schooled children from rural areas of Qalyubia governorate. Methods: That cross-sectional study was carried out on 2000 children in Qalyubia private nurseries. Participants were exposed to survey assessments for the children (demographic information, medical history, and nutrition and health history) and blood collection and analysis (Biochemical assessment, serum iron and Zinc estimation). Results: Zinc level correlated positively with BMI, height, times of eating meat per week, diversity of food and iron level. Iron level correlated positively with age, height, times of eating meat per week, diversity of food, and correlated negatively with age of introduction to complementary foods. Conclusion: In our community, 27.9% of children had zinc deficiency and 37% of children had iron deficiency. Zinc and iron deficiency were associated with male sex, illiterate mothers, lower diversity of food, lower weight, height and BMI. The Zinc level correlated positively to iron level, and both were correlated positively with times of eating meat per week and diversity of food.