Pediatr Int. 2025 Jan-Dec;67(1):e70212. doi: 10.1111/ped.70212.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency (ID) and micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) remain significant public health concerns among children. ID is a common diagnosis in pediatric practice; however, other accompanied MNDs may be overlooked. Here, we aimed to determine MNDs accompanying ID and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children.
METHODS: This prospective single-center study included 157 children (6 months-18 years of age) who were referred to the outpatient pediatrics clinic with a possible diagnosis of ID and IDA.
RESULTS: Of 157 children, 76 (48%) were found to have ID and 27 (17%) had IDA. Vitamin B12, folic acid, copper, zinc, selenium, cobalt, molybdenum, and vitamin A, D, and E levels were compared in 69 children with ID and 69 without ID. Zinc values of children with ID were significantly lower than those without ID (p = 0.020). The proportion of zinc-deficient children (21.1%) was significantly higher in children with ID compared with the iron non-deficient group (p < 0.001). When children with IDA were compared to children without IDA, children with IDA were 15.36 times more at risk for folic acid deficiency than children without IDA (p = 0.018) and had significantly lower folic acid levels (p = 0.005). Children with IDA were 11.39 times more at risk for zinc acid deficiency compared to children without IDA (p < 0.001), and zinc levels were significantly lower in children with IDA (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we showed that apart from iron, children are susceptible to deficiencies in other essential micronutrients, particularly zinc and folate.
PMID:41170559 | DOI:10.1111/ped.70212
