Iron deficiency in infancy: is an immigrant more at risk?
QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: Iron deficiency with or without anaemia is the most common deficiency in the world. Its prevalence is higher in developing countries and in low socioeconomic populations. We aimed at determining and comparing the prevalence of iron deficiency in an immigrant and non-immigran...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW)
2014-12-01
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| Series: | Swiss Medical Weekly |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/1956 |
| _version_ | 1826997098879385600 |
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| author | Marie-Elise Verga Véronique Widmeier-Pasche Maja Beck Popovic Jean-Yves Pauchard Mario Gehri |
| author_facet | Marie-Elise Verga Véronique Widmeier-Pasche Maja Beck Popovic Jean-Yves Pauchard Mario Gehri |
| author_sort | Marie-Elise Verga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: Iron deficiency with or without anaemia is the most common deficiency in the world. Its prevalence is higher in developing countries and in low socioeconomic populations. We aimed at determining and comparing the prevalence of iron deficiency in an immigrant and non-immigrant population.
METHODS: Every child scheduled for a routine check-up at 12 months of age was allowed to participate in the study. Haemoglobin, ferritin, anthropometric data, familial and nutritional status were measured.
RESULTS: 586 infants were eligible and 463 were included in the study as they had assessment data at 12 months. Children were divided into two groups: immigrants’ children and non-immigrants’ children. The global prevalence of iron deficiency was 5.7% at 12 months. A significant difference for iron deficiency was noticed between the groups at 12 months (p = 0.01). Among risk factors, immigration (odds ratio 2.91; 95% CI 1.05–8.04) and unemployment (odds ratio 6.08; 95% CI 1.18–31.30) had the higher odds in the multivariable analysis.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of iron deficiency in the immigrant population is higher than in non-immigrants. Immigration and the category of employment are risk factors for iron deficiency, as starting baby cereals before 9 months is a protective factor. Good socioeconomic conditions in Switzerland, the quality of food for pregnant women and young infants may be the explanation. A study up to five years of age is necessary before drawing general conclusions on infancy.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T00:24:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5f6cdc113e364213b0966aaa53345c96 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-3997 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-02-18T09:55:20Z |
| publishDate | 2014-12-01 |
| publisher | SMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Swiss Medical Weekly |
| spelling | doaj.art-5f6cdc113e364213b0966aaa53345c962024-11-02T09:11:14ZengSMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW)Swiss Medical Weekly1424-39972014-12-01144515210.4414/smw.2014.14065Iron deficiency in infancy: is an immigrant more at risk?Marie-Elise VergaVéronique Widmeier-PascheMaja Beck PopovicJean-Yves PauchardMario Gehri QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: Iron deficiency with or without anaemia is the most common deficiency in the world. Its prevalence is higher in developing countries and in low socioeconomic populations. We aimed at determining and comparing the prevalence of iron deficiency in an immigrant and non-immigrant population. METHODS: Every child scheduled for a routine check-up at 12 months of age was allowed to participate in the study. Haemoglobin, ferritin, anthropometric data, familial and nutritional status were measured. RESULTS: 586 infants were eligible and 463 were included in the study as they had assessment data at 12 months. Children were divided into two groups: immigrants’ children and non-immigrants’ children. The global prevalence of iron deficiency was 5.7% at 12 months. A significant difference for iron deficiency was noticed between the groups at 12 months (p = 0.01). Among risk factors, immigration (odds ratio 2.91; 95% CI 1.05–8.04) and unemployment (odds ratio 6.08; 95% CI 1.18–31.30) had the higher odds in the multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of iron deficiency in the immigrant population is higher than in non-immigrants. Immigration and the category of employment are risk factors for iron deficiency, as starting baby cereals before 9 months is a protective factor. Good socioeconomic conditions in Switzerland, the quality of food for pregnant women and young infants may be the explanation. A study up to five years of age is necessary before drawing general conclusions on infancy. https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/1956AnemiaIron-deficiencyInfantRisk factors of iron deficiency |
| spellingShingle | Marie-Elise Verga Véronique Widmeier-Pasche Maja Beck Popovic Jean-Yves Pauchard Mario Gehri Iron deficiency in infancy: is an immigrant more at risk? Swiss Medical Weekly Anemia Iron-deficiency Infant Risk factors of iron deficiency |
| title | Iron deficiency in infancy: is an immigrant more at risk? |
| title_full | Iron deficiency in infancy: is an immigrant more at risk? |
| title_fullStr | Iron deficiency in infancy: is an immigrant more at risk? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Iron deficiency in infancy: is an immigrant more at risk? |
| title_short | Iron deficiency in infancy: is an immigrant more at risk? |
| title_sort | iron deficiency in infancy is an immigrant more at risk |
| topic | Anemia Iron-deficiency Infant Risk factors of iron deficiency |
| url | https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/1956 |
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