Korean J Pediatr.
2009 Feb;52(2):159-166. 10.3345/kjp.2009.52.2.159.
Weaning food practice in children with iron deficiency anemia
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Inha University, Korea. pedkim@inha.ac.kr
- 2Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Keimyong Univeristy, Korea.
- 3Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Ulsan University, Korea.
- 4Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Ewha University, Korea.
- 5Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Korea.
- 6Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Kyungpook University, Korea.
- 7Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Korea.
- 8Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang University, Korea.
- 9Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Wonkwang University, Korea.
- 10Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Korea.
- 11Department of Nutrition, Daegu Catholic University, Korea.
- KMID: 2281670
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2009.52.2.159
Abstract
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PURPOSE: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in children on a weaning diet. We investigated weaning practices in infants and children, as well as their mothers' knowledge about weaning.
METHODS
We investigated 129 children with IDA and 166 without IDA (aged 6-36 months) who had visited 10 university hospitals between March 2006 and July 2007. We investigated the hematologic values of both groups. A questionnaire on weaning was answered by the mothers of these children.
RESULTS
The hematologic values in the IDA group showed a significant difference from those in the comparison group (P<0.05). Children who were solely breastfed until 6 months of age were 85%, 34% (P<0.05), and weaning was started by 6.3, 6.4 months, respectively (P>0.05). Rice gruel, boiled rice, and fruit juice accounted for approximately 8 0% of the starting foods in both groups (P>0.05). Only 40% of the children in the IDA group had a balanced diet within a month, versus 38% in the comparison group. In response to questions about the necessity of iron-fortified foods for breast-fed infants, less than 50% of mothers in both groups answered correctly. In the IDA group, 42% showed serum ferritin less than 10 ng/ mL, while 92% showed serum MCV less than 72 fL.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, collection of information on history should be thorough for feeding and selective examinations for IDA in high-risk groups. Considering the adaptation period, we suggest beginning children on a weaning diet at 45 months. In addition, we need to educate mothers on weaning practice, especially on the necessity of iron-fortified foods for breast-fed infants.
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