Anemia, Iron Deficiency and Associated Factors in Cuban Children from 6 To 59 Months

Authors

  • Ana María Gómez Álvarez Escuela Latinoamericana de Mediicna
  • Gisela María Pita Rodríguez
  • Beatriz Basabe Tuero
  • Karen Alfonso Sagué
  • María Elena Díaz Sánchez
  • Minerva Montero Díaz
  • Ileana Puentes Márquez
  • Yoandry Díaz Fuentes
  • Elisa Llera-Abreu

Keywords:

anemia, lack of iron, overall overweight, children.

Abstract

Introduction: The main cause of anemia in preschoolers is dietary iron deficiency, nonetheless there are other associated and unevaluated conditions.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency in children aged 6 to 59 months and the association with inflammation, overall overweight, food intake and maternal educational level.

Methods: A national cross-sectional study was carried out, with determinations of hemoglobin, ferritin, transferrin receptors, C-reactive protein and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein. The nutritional status, diet and educational level of the mother were evaluated.

Results: One thousand four hundred and seventeen children were studied. The prevalence of anemia was 22.5%, 35.6% of iron deficiency, and 13.3% of erythropoietic dysfunction. 37.6% of cases presented inflammation and 7.5% presented global overweight prevalence. Anemia was associated with iron deficiency OR = 2.07(1.45-2.97) and inflammation OR = 2.01(1.45-2.78). No associations were found between anemia and iron deficiency with overall overweight. Low consumption of eggs OR = 1.84 (95% CI 1.39-2.43), fruits OR = 1.73 (95% CI 1.29-2.34) and legumes OR = 1.68 (CI 95% 1.25-2.25) were found to be a risk factor for anemia. The logistic regression analysis showed that anemia was associated with the group under two years of age.

Conclusions: Anemia and iron deficiency classify as moderate public health problems associated with inflammation. The group under two years of age and low fruit consumption turned out to be a risk factor and overall overweight turned out to be a protective factor for anemia.

 

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Author Biography

Ana María Gómez Álvarez, Escuela Latinoamericana de Mediicna

Médico, Especialista de Grado II en Bioquímica Clínica, Profesora Axiliar del Dpto. C. Fisiológicas, Elam

Published

2024-04-04

How to Cite

1.
Gómez Álvarez AM, Pita Rodríguez GM, Basabe Tuero B, Alfonso Sagué K, Díaz Sánchez ME, Montero Díaz M, et al. Anemia, Iron Deficiency and Associated Factors in Cuban Children from 6 To 59 Months. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [Internet]. 2024 Apr. 4 [cited 2025 Jan. 14];49(3). Available from: https://revsaludpublica.sld.cu/index.php/spu/article/view/16805

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