Prevalence of anemia in schools of the metropolitan region of Curitiba, Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundAnemia during childhood is one of the biggest public health problems worldwide, including Brazil. Insufficient or abnormal production of hemoglobin, loss of iron and excessive destruction of red blood cells are the most common causes of anemia. Among the reasons of anemia, iron deficiency accounts for 50% of anemia cases in developing countries. Affected individuals present a wide range of clinical problems, including delayed neuropsychomotor progression, impaired cellular immunity and reduction of intellectual capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anemia in children attending public schools in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.MethodA retrospective study was conducted of 409 children aged 8–12 years old included in an extension project of the Universidade Federal do Paraná. The results of complete blood count and hemoglobin electrophoresis of all children were evaluated. Anemia was considered when the hemoglobin levels were <11.5 g/dL.ResultsThe prevalence of anemia was found to be 2.2% of the population studied, with hypochromic microcytic anemia being the most common type. Seven children had sickle cell trait and one had β-thalassemia.ConclusionThe prevalence of anemia in this study was considered normal according the World Health Organization classification, which is different from the data found in other Brazilian regions.

Fatores associados à anemia em adolescentes escolares: Um estudo transversal

“…[IC95% = 6,7-14,5], caracterizando-se como uma prevalência leve (Mendonça et al, 2014) Corroboram com o presente estudo, a prevalência e os níveis de hemoglobina encontrados entre 409 crianças e adolescentes de escolas públicas da região metropolitana de Curitiba-PR, cujo percentual foi de 2,2% de anemia, porém, não houve diferença entre os sexos (Spezia et al, 2018).…”

“…As condições socioeconômicas e a escolaridade materna são fatores determinantes para a prevalência da anemia em adolescentes, por se associarem ao baixo consumo de alimentos ricos em ferro biodisponível, às condições precárias de saneamento e moradia, e ao maior risco de infecções parasitárias (Bezerra et al, 2018;Mota et al, 2019;Spezia et al, 2018) Esta relação foi encontrada em vários estudos (Prasanth, 2017;Shaka & Wondimagegne, 2018;Thomas et al, 2015). No entanto, a associação da anemia com esses fatores não foi constatada nesta pesquisa, à semelhança de outras publicações (Bezerra et al, 2018;De la Cruz-Góngora et al, 2016).…”

Impact of Anemia on the School Performance of Students at a Public School in Ceará

“…Iron deficiency is the most common cause in children. This condition is very important because iron is necessary for the complete myelination of sensory neurons, which is related to learning and behavior, in addition to a drop in immunity and susceptibility to infections 12 .…”

“…Anemia is defined as a condition in which hemoglobin levels are below the normal range 1 . Among children and adolescents, iron deficiency is responsible for most cases 2 . Iron is an essential compound for the production of red blood cells and transpotation of oxygen, as well as for the integration of the enzymatic systems of different tissues.…”

Anemia

“…A Região Nordeste foi a que apresentou maior prevalência de anemia nas crianças (25,5%) e nas mulheres (39,1%) 9 . Outra publicação recente, entretanto, mostrou prevalência de apenas 2,2% de anemia (Hb < 11,5 g/dL) em crianças de 8 a 12 anos de idade na região metropolitana de Curitiba (PR), o que põe em relevo as diferenças regionais num país heterogêneo como o Brasil 10 .…”