BMJ  2005;331 (2 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7507.0-f

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Anaemia doesn't predict iron deficiency among toddlers

Question Does screening toddlers for anaemia identify those with iron deficiency?

Synopsis An insufficient level of iron (which is used in more than 200 enzymes in the body) is associated with developmental disabilities in young children. Measuring serum haemoglobin as an indicator of anaemia is used to screen for iron deficiency in young children. The author of this cohort study evaluated the correlation between anaemia and iron deficiency by examining the findings of the national health and nutrition survey (NHANES, a stratified population sample performed across the United States), conducted between 1988 and 1994. The survey included 1289 toddlers between the ages of 12 and 35 months, and all of these children underwent complete blood counts, as well as measures of iron stores: ferritin, transferrin saturation, and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin. Iron deficiency, identified in 10.9% of the children studied, was defined as at least two of the iron indices being . . . [Full text of this article]

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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

"Serum haemoglobin" for anaemia screening

Kenneth Campbell
bmj.com, 1 Jul 2005 [Full text]

Aneamia does not predict iron deficiency among toddlers

oscar,m jolobe
bmj.com, 2 Jul 2005 [Full text]

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Bottom line

John Hain
bmj.com, 27 Jul 2005 [Full text]