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Abstract Iron is the main micronutrient required for normal development and function of all tissues in the body. Iron deficiency is the main cause of anemia (the most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide). Absent food with adequate nutritional quality or impaired absorption of it leads to undernutrition, overweight and obesity, or leads to having poor vitamin and mineral status. Infants, children, and women of reproductive age are at highest risk of developing iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. The incidence of iron deficiency increases at three timepoints: in the neonatal period, in preschool children, and in adolescents. Iron deficiency anemia is the final stage of iron deficiency, and the first one that can recover with iron supplementation. Iron deficiency without anemia may also be associated with some clinical signs and symptoms, such as fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, or decreased energy. Patients may present with generalized symptoms of anemia such as fatigue, irritability, headache, vertigo, dyspnea, and tachycardia. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are presented by many body systems and functions of the affected child: impaired psychomotor and/or mental development, effects on immunity and susceptibility to infection, decreased exercise capacity, weakness, pica and/or pagophagia. Iron deficiency is not a final diagnosis; rather, it is indicative of an underlying etiology that is decreasing iron availability and/or increasing iron needs, so it is important to detect the underlying etiology and, if possible, treat it. Summary 91 The aim of treatment is to replenish iron stores and normalize hemoglobin concentrations if anemia is present. Many oral iron products with varying doses and formulations are available. New generation parenteral iron preparations have revolutionized therapy for ID. Intravenous preparations comprise an iron core encapsulated in a carbohydrate shell to delay iron release. The probability of reversing the adverse effects of iron deficiency depends on the stage of development at the time of iron deficiency. In order to detect the prevalence of iron deficiency with or without anemia among children in Samanoud district, Gharbia governorate and discover its impact on growth and development, we conducted a cross sectional study between January 2021 and January 2022. A total of 200 participants were enrolled in the study, according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, from children aged 6 months to less than or equal 11 years, from all types of schools, nurseries and outpatient clinics, 25 children were excluded and 200 completed the study. We took a full history, general examination, anthropometric measurements and laboratory investigations (Hb, CRP, Serum ferritin) for all participants. The anthropometric measures were plotted and results were interpreted according to the recent Egyptian growth Z score curves. Anemia is diagnosed if hemoglobin below 11 g /dl for children aged less than 5 years, or below 11.5 g/dl for children aged 5years to 11 years. Iron deficiency without anemia is considered when serum ferritin level is less than or equal to 12 μg/L for children less than or equal to 5 years of age and <15 μg/L for more than 5 years of age. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS software. Summary 92 The study showed that the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia is significantly related to age less than 2 years. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was higher in children aged 2 years or less and there was a highly significant association between iron status and this age group. There was a highly significant association between iron status and weight for the age subgroup 6 months to less than or equal to 5 years and the length/ height for the same age subgroup. There was no significant association between iron status and the weight for length in children less than 5 years old nor body mass index in children more than 5 years. We highly recommend early screening of iron deficiency using serum ferritin during the first 2 years of life starting from the age of 6 months to detect and treat iron deficiency as early as possible and avoid the impact of iron deficiency anemia on growth and development. Early introduction of foods rich in iron as complementary feeding after the 4th month of age is important to decrease the risk of iron deficiency anemia among infants and children. Healthcare givers should raise awareness about iron deficiency and its complications. |