SEVERE IRON-DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN FIJI CHILDREN

Aims. A prospective study to determine the magnitude of the problem of severe iron deficiency anaemia in Fiji children with intercurrent ill nesses and their response to the interventions with dietary modificati ons and iron therapy. Methods. A total of 2136 consecutive children be tween 6 months and 12 years of age, who attended a hospital and a heal th centre in Fiji, for intercurrent illness, during a 9 months period, were screened for severe iron deficiency anaemia (haemoglobin < 70 g/ L). Results. Eighty children (3.7%) had severe iron deficiency anaemia . Majority (75%) of children with severe anaemia were younger than 2 y ears. Dietary and iron therapy were successful in correcting anaemia i n all 80 children. Conclusions. Severe iron deficiency anaemia was com mon in Fiji children seeking medical attention for intercurrent illnes s. Simple therapeutic measures, which included dietary advice and iron therapy, were successful in correcting this severe debility in those children.