1028 Anaemia in well under-fives in Venda

In a recent study carried out by medical and nursing students from the USA and Venda and reported in the South African Medical Journal, clinical and socio-economic correlates of anaemia were studied in clinically well under-fives attending community health services. Data were obtained for 52 children and results were counter-intuitive and quite different from those obtained elsewhere in the country and beyond. Seventy-five percent were still being breastfed at the time of enrolment and a similar number were found to be anaemic with a mean Hb of 9.65 ± 2.6g/dl (adjusted for age and altitude). This prevalence of anaemia is higher than in other studies. Unfortunately blood studies were not carried out to better understand the nature of the anaemia. The following potential correlates were explored: gender, food security, recently dewormed, vitamin supplements, breastfeeding, hookworm and/or H pylori infection, stunting, weight for age and wasting. Statistical analysis showed that only two factors correlated with anaemia, female gender and weight for age (less anaemia in those who were underweight). The gender relationship disappeared in a repeat of parts of the study in 2008, while the anaemia-weight relationship was not explained. There was also a trend towards greater food security in those with anaemia. Data from the USA are perhaps in line with these findings: in children aged 5-10 living in American Samoa it was found that a) overall 17.3% were anaemic, and b) heavier females were most likely to be anaemic. The point is made that further examination is warranted into the causes of anaemia in overweight children. In this regard, and reverting to summary 1026, it would be important to fully understand the aetiology of the anaemia and to ensure that treatment is appropriate and comprehensive.

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S Afr Med J 2010; 100: 445-8
Public Health Nutr 2009; 12: 660-6
Eur J Clin Nutr 2007; 61: 398-403