Background: Iron deficiency
anaemia has been described
as the commonest type of nutritional
anaemia in infancy and
childhood. The associated adverse
health sequelae include permanent
behavioural and cognitive impairments.
Early detection and prompt
treatment are necessary to prevent
these complications.
Aim: To determine the prevalence
and socio-demographic distribution
of iron deficiency anaemia among
anaemic under five children in
Enugu.
Subjects and methods: Under-five
children presenting at a tertiary
hospital were consecutively enrolled
and screened for iron deficiency
anaemia using haematocrit
and serum ferritin levels. Iron deficiency
anaemia was defined as
haematocrit level <30% and ferritin
level <12ng/ml.
Results: Three hundred and twelve
children (187 males, 125 females)
aged below 60 months had a PCV
check out of which 178 (57.1%)
were anaemic (PCV< 30%). Of the
anaemic group, 61(34.3%) had
iron deficiency anaemia. Prevalence
of iron deficiency anaemia
was higher among the males
(38.0%) [p=0.235], age group 13-
23months (40.0%)[p=0.575] and
children from lower socioeconomic
class (43.5%)[p=0.158].
There is a positive but weak correlation
between serum ferritin and
haematocrit levels [r= 0.11
p=0.130].
Conclusion: The prevalence of
iron deficiency anaemia in the
study population was high and
varies with the child’s age group,
gender and parental socioeconomic
class.