Anemia is a condition that is defined as a concentration of circulating hemoglobin at a level lower than that considered adequate by the World Health Organization (13 g/dL, 12 g/dL and 11 g/dL for men, women and children, respectively). It is considered the main consequence of iron deficiency - a nutrient that mainly acts in the synthesis of red blood cells and in the transportation of oxygen to other cells of the body. This study, which was performed in March and April 2007, aimed at evaluating hematologic alterations and serum iron levels in 6 to 59-month-old children in the city of Campina Grande. The prevalence of anemia was 31.73% and among the anemic patients, 91% had mild anemia (Hb < 11.0 and > 9.0 g/dL). The lowest concentration of hemoglobin was predominantly observed in the 6 to 12-month age group. Considering different parameters of the hemogram in order to evaluate the etiology of iron deficiency among anemic patients, the RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width) showed the greatest sensitivity in laboratory diagnoses of iron deficiency anemia. Therefore, laboratory investigation is essential for early diagnosis and efficient therapy of iron deficiency anemia in children.
Iron deficiency anemia; hematimetric indexes; seric iron
