Weaning food practice in children with iron deficiency anemia.
10.3345/kjp.2009.52.2.159
- Author:
Joo Hee CHANG
1
;
Woo Sik CHEONG
;
Yong Hoon JUN
;
Soon Ki KIM
;
Hung Sik KIM
;
Sang Kyu PARK
;
Kyung Ha RYU
;
Eun Sun YOO
;
Chuhl Joo LYU
;
Kun soo LEE
;
Kwang Chul LEE
;
Jae Young LIM
;
Du Young CHOI
;
Byung Kyu CHOE
;
Eun Jin CHOI
;
Bong Soon CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Inha University, Korea. pedkim@inha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Iron deficiency anemia;
Weaning;
Nutrition;
Knowledge
- MeSH:
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency;
Child;
Diet;
Ferritins;
Fruit;
Hospitals, University;
Humans;
Infant;
Iron;
Malnutrition;
Mothers;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Weaning
- From:Korean Journal of Pediatrics
2009;52(2):159-166
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
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.
