Association of iron deficiency anaemia in children of 1-2 years of age with low birth weight, recurrent diarrhoea or recurrent respiratory tract infection--a myth or fact?
Ali, N.S.; Zuberi, R.W.
Jpma. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 53(4): 133-136
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-9982 PMID: 12776895 Document Number: 560570
Aims and objective: To investigate for the presence or absence of any association between low birth weight, recurrent diarrhoea or recurrent acute respiratory infections with iron deficiency anaemia in Pakistani children aged 1-2 years. Methodology: From July 1993 to July 1995, a case-control study was conducted at the Family Medicine Clinic, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. 50 cases and 100 controls were included. Informed consent was taken from mothers for the blood tests of their children and a questionnaire was administered to them. Data obtained from the completed questionnaires were analysed by chi-square and t-tests. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in low birth weight (P=0.712), recurrent diarrhoea or respiratory infections between anaemic and non-anaemic children (ORs, 1.71 and 1.48, respectively). Conclusion: This study does not uphold the belief that low birth weight, recurrent diarrhoea or respiratory infections have a causal association with iron deficiency anaemia in children aged 1-2 years.