Causes of Anemia in WIC Children, 12–35 Months

Saint Louis University: Prevention Research Center

Topics:
Healthy Youth

Researchers examined 1,000 children, aged 12–35 months who participate in the nutritional Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, to determine how many children had anemia and why. At two WIC sites in Saint Louis, interviewers explained the study to parents/guardians and asked them to complete a questionnaire for their child that included socioeconomic information; history of acute illness; and dietary information including history of infant feeding, introduction of foods that can affect iron levels, and frequency of intake. Using this information, researchers determined how many children had anemia and how often it was due to iron deficiency or to other causes such as deficiency in other nutrients or hormones, hereditary problems, or excessive blood loss. Blood tests were conducted to measure the levels and types of hemoglobin. The findings are being used in developing intervention strategies to reduce anemia in this population.

 

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