Evaluation of iron deficiency anemia in a population of different ethnic qroups under 6 years

© 2015 Ediciones Mayo, S.A. All rights reserved. Introduction: Due to the high prevalence of ferropenic diseases and the increase of different immigrant populations with their own eating habits, a. population-based study was considered necessary in order to evaluate the nutritional status and document possible iron deficiencies secondary to each food culture. Study purpose: To evaluate the anthropometric parameters, the hemoglobin and ferritin plasmatic concentrations and the sideremy values in each ethnic group. Population and methods: Prospective study carried out from 2008 to 2010, in a paediatrician consultation working area. Population: 307 children from Salt (Girona) under the age of 6, Caucasian (n= 85; 27.4%), Moroccan (n= 87; 28%), Sub-Saharan African (n= 101; 32.5%), Central American (n= 20; 6.4%) and Indian-Paquistan (n= 14; 4.5%). Biochemical parameters: blood count, sideremy and ferritin values. Results: Analysis of anthropometric parameters did not show any relevant difference between the native and the immigrant population. The biochemical data showed a sideremy deficiency (<50 μg/dL) (Caucasian population 38.5%, Moroccan 51%, Sub-Saharan African 43%, Central American 35%, Indian-Paquistan 79%), a ferritin deficiency (<20 ng/mL) (Caucasian population 10.5%, Moroccan 49%, Sub-Saharan African 29%, Central American 15%, Indian-Paquistan 85%) and an hemoglobin deficiency (<10.5 mg/mL) (Caucasian population 3.7%, Moroccan 7%, Sub-Saharan African 15%, Central American 5%, Indian-Paquistan 21%). Conclusions: No auxologic malnutrition was detected in the studied population; however, there was a clear deficiency in sideremy, ferritin and hemoglobin in the child populations from Morocco and Sub-Saharan Africa, this being even more evident among the Indian-Paquistan population.