[Prevalence of anemia in infants under the age of 6 months being treated at a primary care setting in the city of La Plata, Argentina]

Abstract

Introduction. Anemia is a public healthcare problem that particularly affects children under the age of 2 years, with consequences that greatly affect psychomotor and intellectual growth during childhood and productive capacities in adulthood. Objective. To study the prevalence of anemia, its variations and possibly associated factors in children under 6 months of age. Material and methods. Cross-sectional descriptive study analyzing health records of 363 children aged 4-5 months assisted in the period 2007-2010. We determined the association of anemia (hemoglobin <10,3 g/dl) with feeding (exclusive breastfeeding and mixed feeding), type of birth and sex. Birth weight means and z-scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height were compared in anemic versus non-anemic children. Results. Anemia was present in 28.9% (105/363) of children, being its prevalence significantly higher in boys (38.3% versus 20.9%; p= 0.000). There were no significant differences in type of birth or feeding. Mean birth weight and mean z-score for weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height was significantly lower in anemic vs. non-anemic children. We found a significant reduction in anemia (37.8% in 2007 to 20.3% in 2010 during the study period, p= 0.012) Conclusion. The prevalence of anemia was 28.9%; decreased significantly between 2007 and 2010, and represents a serious public healthcare problem. The prevalence was higher in boys, in children with lower birth weight and in those with lower antropometric indices. Our results, even though local, reflect the high nutritional risk of the population under 6 months of age.