Iron deficiency anemia is a leading cause of infant mor-bidity and mortality worldwide.1 Numerous studieshave demonstrated that even moderate anemia (hemo-globin < 100 g/L) is associated with depressed mental and motor development in children that may not be re-versible.2–4 Because of the possibl...
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Language: | English |
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Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.585.469 http://www.cmaj.ca/content/168/1/59.full.pdf |
Summary: | Iron deficiency anemia is a leading cause of infant mor-bidity and mortality worldwide.1 Numerous studieshave demonstrated that even moderate anemia (hemo-globin < 100 g/L) is associated with depressed mental and motor development in children that may not be re-versible.2–4 Because of the possible irreversibility of this condition, primary prevention is a more appropriate goal than screening and treatment. In Canada, 4%–5 % of non-Aboriginal preschool children suffer from iron deficiency anemia, compared with a prevalence of between 14 % and 24 % in First Nations and Inuit infants and children.5–7 In developing countries, however, the prevalence of anemia reaches and in some countries exceeds 50 % in one-year-old children.8 Because of the well-documented sequelae of ane-mia, there is a continuing need to develop strategies and educate caregivers about the prevention and management of iron deficiency anemia. |
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