Linear growth in children with iron deficiency anemia before and after treatment.

Abstract

We measured growth [length (L) standard deviation score (SDS), growth velocity (GV) SDS and body mass index (BMI)] and hematological (hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV and MCH) parameters in 40 children (aged 17.2 +/- 12.4 months) with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) before and after iron therapy. Before treatment children with IDA had LSDS = -1.2 +/- 1, GV = 7.5 +/- 2.2, GVSDS = -1.42 +/- 0.6 and BMI = 13.5 +/- 1.2. They were significantly shorter and had reduced growth as compared with age-matched controls. After treatment, their growth parameters significantly increased with LSDS = -0.6 +/- -0.9, GV = 13.2 +/- 4.4 cm year(-1), GVSDS = 1.7 +/- 0.5 and BMI = 14.2 +/- 1.1. Their GV correlated significantly with serum ferritin concentration (r = 0.48, p < 0.001) and BMI (r = 0.32, p < 0.1). In summary, IDA during the first 2 years of life significantly impairs growth.

• Authors: Ashraf T Soliman, Muhamad M Al Dabbagh, Alia Hussein Habboub, Ashraf Adel, Noura Al Humaidy, Ahmad Abushahin
• Journal: Journal of tropical pediatrics (J Trop Pediatr) Vol. 55 Issue 5 Pg. 324-7 (Oct 2009) ISSN: 1465-3664 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19261662 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ferritins
• Iron

Topics

• Anemia, Iron-Deficiency (therapy)
• Body Height
• Body Mass Index
• Case-Control Studies
• Child, Preschool
• Dietary Supplements (adverse effects)
• Female
• Ferritins (blood)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Growth (physiology)
• Humans
• Infant
• Iron (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• Qatar
• Treatment Outcome