Incidence of Iron Deficiency Anemia and associated with some Risk Factors among Children in Al-Nasiriyah City

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency among children. This study aimed to identify the possible risk factors of iron deficiency among children in Nasiriyah city / South of Iraq. This was a cross-sectional study in light of 100 children, 1month to 12 years. The highest rate of anemia was in the age group (4-6 years) and the lowest rate was in the age group (10-12 years) 30%, 20% respectively. The percentage was higher in girls (60%) than in boys (40%). The rate of anemia in rural than urban was 62%, 38% respectively. Higher percentage (60 %) of children suffering from anemia were belong to the middle-income family, while 36 % of cases were belong to the low-income family. Only 4% of cases were belong to the high – income. 46% of children with anemia were nutrition by breast-feeding, while the rest 54 % were rely on being fed dry milk. 26% patients are associated with the positive family history of anemia, while 74% had no family history of anemia. High percentage of children with anemia 90% were eating chips and biscuits greatly.