Authors: Hayder Hussein Jalood1
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.
Keywords: Iron deficiency; Anemia; Children; Risk factors.