Iron Deficiency in Infants and Toddlers in the United States

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) continues to be overwhelmingly the leading cause of anemia in early childhood and a global public health challenge. Although there has been a significant decrease in the frequency of IDA and iron deficiency (ID) in infants and toddlers in recent years in the United States, ID and IDA persist and the adverse effects of ID are long-lasting if not permanent. Moreover, ID can result in lead toxicity, and this toxic exposure, even with low levels, can impair neurocognitive function as well. This review describes the major steps that have taken place to decrease the frequency of ID and IDA.

Iron deficiency anemia in an Egyptian pediatric population: A cross-sectional study

“…Iron studies diagnostic for IDA consist of a low Hb for age, together a low SF with below 12 μg/L) or low TS below 16%). [18,19] Hb electrophoresis was done to patients diagnosed with microcytic hypochromic anemia to exclude β thalassemia minor.…”

Intravenous iron sucrose for children with iron deficiency anemia: a single institution study

“…[1] Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is particularly common in toddlers and teenage girls. In the fi rst group, it is usually due to poor oral iron intake, as a result of consumption of large amounts of unfortifi ed cow's milk that is also frequently associated with occult gastrointestinal bleeding.…”

Meeting iron needs for infants and children

“…There is a well verified association between iron deficiency and impaired neuropsychological performance in infants and children and irreversible impairment has been suggested, at least when IDA occurs in infancy [1][2][3]. Infants and children are, due to their rapid growth, at a particular risk of iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia (IDA).…”