Iron Deficiency Anemia in Primary School Children in Beni-Suef (Prevalence and Clinical Spectrum)

Abstract

: The aim of current study was to detect prevalence and clinical presentation of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in primary school children in Beni-Suef and to assess their risk factors. This cross-sectional survey was conducted on randomly selected primary school children with microcytic hypochromic anemia of both genders aged from 6 years – 12 years in Beni- suef governorate. The prevalence of IDA was 26.6% among children 6-12 years of age. Socioeconomic factors (such as mother education, residence, nutritional status, parasitic infection and recurrent infection) and poor dietary habits are the main contributing factors of IDA among the children studied. It is alarming that the prevalence of IDA is high among children 6–12years of age. Screening for IDA should be directed at high-risk groups and school programs should be implemented to improve awareness of healthy food habits.