Has routine screening of infants for anemia become obsolete in the United States?
Dallman, P.R.
Pediatrics 80(3): 439-441
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-4005 PMID: 3627895 Document Number: 289387
Iron-deficiency anaemia was common and often severe as recently as 15 years ago in the USA; during that time it has become routine to examine all term infants for anaemia at about 1 year old. However, during the past decade iron-deficiency anaemia has become less common decreasing to 2.7% in infants 6 months to 6 years old between 1982 and 1986. The anaemia is rarely associated with clinical signs, and diversification of the diet gradually reverses the condition in most cases. The infants who should be tested for anaemia are those in one or more of the following categories: low socioeconomic background, regular cow's milk started before 6 months old, use of infant formula not fortified with Fe and low birthweight. The nutritional guidelines which are important in preventing Fe deficiency include prolongation of breast feeding to 6 months or older if possible; use of Fe-fortified infant formula after weaning from breast milk and in infants who are not breast fed; delay in giving cow's milk until 9 to 12 months old; use of infant cereals fortified with Fe or Fe and ascorbic acid as one of the solid foods introduced after about 4 to 6 months old; combination of foods rich in Fe and ascorbic acid when meals of solid foods are given; and supplemental Fe for preterm infants at 2 to 3 mg/kg daily starting at about 1 month old.