All issues > Volume 38(9); 1995

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1995;38(9):1253-1261. Published online September 15, 1995.

Iron Deficiency Anemia in Infants

Woon Ja WJ Chung¹, Kue Sook KS Kim¹, Mi Kyung MK Kim¹, Shin Na SN Kim¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Dongbu Municipal Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Purpose
: To study the incidence of iron deficiency anemia we conducted blood tests with questionnaire regrarding weaning status. We tried to figure out the relation between iron deficiency anemia and financial and educational levels of their parents. The purpose of this study is to emphasize the importance of screening for iron deficiency anemia at well baby clinic and educate mothers about proper weaning.
Methods
: At Dongbu Municipal Hospital and Dongdaemun-ku district health center, 315 babies, 7-24 months old were tested for Hgb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW. Their mothers answered a questionnaire regarding their educational level, income and weaning status. Those babies with Hgb level less than 10g/dl were tested serum ferritin, serum iron, TIBC and transferrin saturation. The normal standard Hgb level is 10g/dl in Korea by Hong.
Results
: 1) Among 315 babies 19 babies (6.0%) had iron deficiency anemia. Incidence in male was much higher (9.5%) than female (2.5%). Incidence of iron deficiency anemia was highest in 21-22 months of age. 2) Incidence of iron deficiency anemia was higher in a group who had not started weaning at all. The later the weaning started, the higher the incidence of iron deficiency anemia. 3) Incidence of iron deficiency anemia was decreased with higher monthly income.
Conclusion
: The incidence of iron deficiency anemia was 6.0%, which was lower than previous report of 7.0% in 1993. In view of highest incidence of iron deficiency anemia in babies of 21-22 months of age, pediatricians should keep in mind of screening for iron deficiency anemia until babies reach around 2 years of age.

Keywords :Iron deficiency anemia (IDA), Screening, Weaning