Contributions
Abstract: PB1903
Type: Publication Only
Background
Iron deficiency anemia in infants and young children is easy to be underdiagnosed. Anemia and iron deficiency are usually corrected after aged 2-3 years old, but it causes complications. There is an association between IDA and impaired neurocognitive function and exercise intorance, even after treatment of IDA. Therefore, preventing the progression of iron deficiency is especially important during infancy and early childhood, when increased vulnerability is associated with rapid growth and development, especially of the brain.
Aims
To detect iron deficiency anemia early and to reduce the adverse impact by IDA, we assessed the characteristics of infants and young children with IDA, those at risk for IDA and those exhibiting associated characteristics of severe anemia.
Methods
Among 1,782 children with IDA aged 6 months to 18 years-old, we retrospectively analyzed medical records and laboratory data of 1,361 subjects aged 6–23 months with IDA who had been diagnosed between 1996 and 2013. We excluded patients with CRP ≥ 5 mg/dL.
Results
IDA was predominant in boys (2.14:1) during infancy and young childhood. Peak incidence was at 9 to 12 months of age. Only 7% of subjects were brought to the hospital with symptoms and/or signs of IDA, while 23.6% in subjects with severe IDA. LBW infants with IDA shows low adherence with iron supplementation. In a multivariate analysis, risk factors of severe anemia in infants included prolonged breastfeeding without iron fortification [odds ratio (OR) 5.70] and low birth weight (OR 6.49).
Conclusion
Many clinicians did not consider IDA as a real problem, so many children with IDA were not followed up. LBW infants need more attention to increase adherence of iron supplementation. For early detection of IDA, nutritional assessment should be evaluated in every infants and iron batteries in high risk infants (LBW infants, prolonged breastfeeding, picky eater and/or symptoms of IDA) at health screening visit.
Session topic: 28. Iron metabolism, deficiency and overload
Keyword(s): Risk factor, Iron deficiency anemia, Infant
Abstract: PB1903
Type: Publication Only
Background
Iron deficiency anemia in infants and young children is easy to be underdiagnosed. Anemia and iron deficiency are usually corrected after aged 2-3 years old, but it causes complications. There is an association between IDA and impaired neurocognitive function and exercise intorance, even after treatment of IDA. Therefore, preventing the progression of iron deficiency is especially important during infancy and early childhood, when increased vulnerability is associated with rapid growth and development, especially of the brain.
Aims
To detect iron deficiency anemia early and to reduce the adverse impact by IDA, we assessed the characteristics of infants and young children with IDA, those at risk for IDA and those exhibiting associated characteristics of severe anemia.
Methods
Among 1,782 children with IDA aged 6 months to 18 years-old, we retrospectively analyzed medical records and laboratory data of 1,361 subjects aged 6–23 months with IDA who had been diagnosed between 1996 and 2013. We excluded patients with CRP ≥ 5 mg/dL.
Results
IDA was predominant in boys (2.14:1) during infancy and young childhood. Peak incidence was at 9 to 12 months of age. Only 7% of subjects were brought to the hospital with symptoms and/or signs of IDA, while 23.6% in subjects with severe IDA. LBW infants with IDA shows low adherence with iron supplementation. In a multivariate analysis, risk factors of severe anemia in infants included prolonged breastfeeding without iron fortification [odds ratio (OR) 5.70] and low birth weight (OR 6.49).
Conclusion
Many clinicians did not consider IDA as a real problem, so many children with IDA were not followed up. LBW infants need more attention to increase adherence of iron supplementation. For early detection of IDA, nutritional assessment should be evaluated in every infants and iron batteries in high risk infants (LBW infants, prolonged breastfeeding, picky eater and/or symptoms of IDA) at health screening visit.
Session topic: 28. Iron metabolism, deficiency and overload
Keyword(s): Risk factor, Iron deficiency anemia, Infant