Iron Deficiency And Child Health: A Permanent Challenge

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common widespread nutritional disorder in the world in both developing and developed countries and remains a leading cause of anemia mainly affecting children between the ages of 6 to 59 months. ID can be understood as a state in which there is insufficient total body iron to maintain normal physiologic functions and which can vary in intensity from mild forms to the most severe condition which is anemia. The prevalence of ID among children under the age of three years old is high, varying according to the regions of the world, between about 10% in the USA to 33% in African countries, South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean. In view of the importance of ID for human health, with its physical, emotional, social and economic repercussions, it is important to know all aspects related to this nutritional deficiency so that actions for prevention, identification and early treatment of those affected can be developed. This article briefly reviews the importance of iron for children's health, highlighting metabolism, clinical changes, diagnosis and measures that can solve or minimize this serious public health problem.