Iron Deficiency Anemia in Infants And Toddlers: A systematic review

Introduction: Anemia is one of the most common disease in the world, and iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in children and infants. Iron deficiency anemia can have different effects on behavioral and functional development on children. In this study we aim to provide a review of studies about the prevention of this complication in infants and toddlers. Methods: We searched PubMed and Google Scholar search engine with: prevention, iron deficiency anemia , infants and toddlers keywords and 18 and 10 articles were found. All articles were published from 2007 to 2018, they use human samples and were not systematic reviews. After investigating the titles, 6 articles were excluded and by reading abstracts, 15 were excluded. At the end, 7 articles remained. Results: A total 7 articles were reviewed. In all articles, appropriate iron intakes were effective to prevent iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in infants and toddlers. Two of them also find screening effective. A cross-sectional article states that socioeconomic conditions can affect the nutritional status of children. Another article was conducted 486 children aged between 12 and 30 months. It found that ferrous gluconate and ferrous sulfate are effective in prevention of iron deficiency. Another article evaluated 193 blood samples of 24-month-old children. The incidence of 3/9% of children in the second year old of life clearly shows the need to continue using iron supplements in the second year. Conclusion: The available data suggest that children are at high risk of iron deficiency and iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in them. Therefore, appropriate iron intakes and screening are two effective ways to prevent this complication. In my opinion raising the level of health literacy in society through various media and journals will be very effective to prevent of this complication.