The incidence of iron deficiency anemia in patients admitted to the pediatric developmental outpatient clinic of Dicle University Medical school

Objective: The most common anemia in children in the world is iron deficiency anemia. Severe iron deficiency anemia causes impairment of psychomotor and cognitive functions and may cause irreversible damage. Therefore, many global and national studies to prevent iron deficiency are still ongoing. In our country " Demir gibi Türkiye " project is being initiated with iron prophylaxis to all infants from 4 months and can be obtained free family health retail stores with preparations containing iron. In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in children who applied to our Children's Pediatric Pediatrics Developmental Clinic. Methods: In our study, 46.4% (n = 311) girls and 53.6% (n = 359) boys were examined with a total of 670 cases in children aged 0-18 years. While anemia was observed in 19.7% (n = 132) of the cases, iron deficiency was found in 12.5% (n = 84) of the cases and iron deficiency anemia was found in 10.1% (n = 68). Anemia was observed in 10.6% (n = 64) of cases with iron deficiency anemia (-). The rate of iron deficiency anemia was found to be significantly higher in patients aged 0-2 compared to those aged 3-18. There was no statistically significant difference between the incidence of iron deficiency anemia in cases according to gender. Conclusion: In the global public health problem, iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, early diagnosis and treatment is indispensable for public health.