Abstract
Background Iron deficiency anemia is one of the treatable causes of developmental delay in infants and is therefore screened in several countries. However, in Japan, a screening program for anemia among infants has not been introduced and data on the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and results of therapeutic trial with iron supplementation are limited.
Objective To examine the prevalence of anemia, diagnosis was made with venipuncture blood and iron deficiency anemia was confirmed in a therapeutic trial of infants in Japanese communities.
Participants Six-to 18-month-old infants participated in the anemia screening program in Shinshiro city and Shitara districts, Aichi, and Fujisawa town, Iwate, Japan.
Methods Capillary blood samples in microtubes were obtained by skin puncture, and centrifuged to measure the hematocrit. When the value was low, venipuncture blood was examined. A hemoglobin concentration under 11 g/dl was judged as a positive result. Anemic infants were referred to pediatrics for prescription of ferrous sulfate. Iron deficiency anemia was defined as a hemoglobin concentration elevated by 1 g/dl or more with a 4-week regimen of ferrous sulfate (therapeutic trial).
Results Of 283 eligible infants, 161 were screened (participation rate, 57%). Mean (SD) microhematocrit by skin puncture was 35.9(2.2)%. Thirteen infants (8%, 95%Cl: 4 to 13%) were anemic, and 7 infants (4%, 95%Cl: 2 to 9%) demonstrated iron deficiency anemia in the therapeutic trial. There was no significant difference between study sites in mean microhematocrit, and prevalence of anemia or iron deficiency anemia.
Conclusions The prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency anemia among infants in the study communities is high enough to warrant considering routine screening. Further studies are needed to determine whether a high prevalence of anemia is widespread in Japan.
