Etiology of Anemia, Iron Deficiency among Young Children and Strategies to Overcome

Abstract

Background: Anemia, iron deficiency, worm infestation and Helicobacter pylori infection is highly
prevalent among young children population in India.
Objectives: To understand the aetiology of anaemia, iron deficiency, role of worm infestation and presence
of Helicobacter pylori among young children population and to assess the impact of intervention
Method: 484 children of age 5-12 years from rural schools were enrolled for the study. Blood haemoglobin
and serum ferritin were measured. H.pylori status was investigated with the 13C- Urea Breath Test. Stool
specimen was assessed for the presence of parasites. 140 anemic children were selected for the intervention.
They were randomly divided into seven groups of 20 children in each and named as group 1 to 7. 1 as control,
2 iron supplementation, 3 treated for H. pylori alone, 4 treated for worms, 5 treated for H. pylori infection
along with iron supplementation, 6 treated for worms along with iron supplementation & 7 supplemented
with iron along with treatment for H. pylori and deworming (for duration and dose refer Methodology in
the text).
Results: Of the 484 children, 30.4% were anemic. 18.8% children were iron deficient, of which, 50.3%
were anemic. 13.2% children were positive for H.pylori and 50.0% children are infested with potentially
pathogenic parasites. Intervention studies showed that the Group 7 children showed significant rise in
hemoglobin and serum ferritin in comparison.
Conclusion: Childhood anemia continues to be a significant public health problem in school children and
targeted intervention to iron deficiency either alone or in combination (Iron deficiency, worm infestation and
H. pylori infection) can reduce the burden.