PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AND IRON-DEFICIENCY IN URBAN HAITIAN CHILDREN 2 TO 5 YEARS OF AGE

This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency (ID) in 305 urban Haitian children, 142 boys and 163 girls from low socioeconomic class, ranging in age from 2 to 5 years. Haemo globin (Hb), serum ferritin (FERR), serum iron, total iron binding cap acity (TIBC), transferrin saturation (TS), and red blood cell indices were measured by standard techniques, Although the means of these indi ces were within normal range, 58,4 per cent of children had at least o ne of the measurements in the abnormal range (FERR < 12 mu g/l, TS < 1 2, HB < 10.7 g/l in 2 year old and < 10.9 g/dl in 3-5 year old childre n). The overall prevalence of anaemia (40 per cent) was slightly highe r in boys (42 per cent) than in girls (36 per cent). Approximately 45 and 31 per cent of children had FERR < 12 mu g/l and TS < 12 per cent, respectively, with no difference between boys and girls. Despite the decrease in the prevalence of anaemia and ID with age, about one-third of the 5 year old children were either anaemic or iron deficient, Hyp ochromia and microcytosis were present in 60 and 66 per cent of childr en respectively, Although ID was the major cause of anaemia, protein-e nergy malnutrition as judged by low TIBC contributed to the high preva lence of anaemia. Megaloblastic anaemia and haemoglobinopathies did no t significantly contribute to the high prevalence of anaemia. The freq uency of fruit consumption, hence vitamin C, was lower in anaemic than non-anaemic children. We conclude that the eradication of anaemia and ID in this population will require improvement in overall nutritional status.