Article Type
Changed
Fri, 01/18/2019 - 08:42
Display Headline
Anemia does not predict iron deficiency among toddlers
Bottom Line

These study results present a quandary: We cannot feel assured that a young child doesn’t have anemia if they show a normal hemoglobin level, and we can’t be sure that he or she has anemia if the hemoglobin level is low. Screening for iron deficiency in toddlers by checking serum hemoglobin misses most children with a deficiency, and most of the children with anemia do not have an iron deficiency. As the author of this study suggests, it might make more sense to continue low-dose supplementation of iron in all children rather than use a policy of screen and treat. (LOE=1c)

 
Article PDF
Author and Disclosure Information

White KC. Anemia is a poor predictor of iron deficiency among toddlers in the United States: For heme the bell tolls. Pediatrics 2005; 115:315–320.

Issue
The Journal of Family Practice - 54(6)
Publications
Topics
Page Number
493-500
Sections
Author and Disclosure Information

White KC. Anemia is a poor predictor of iron deficiency among toddlers in the United States: For heme the bell tolls. Pediatrics 2005; 115:315–320.

Author and Disclosure Information

White KC. Anemia is a poor predictor of iron deficiency among toddlers in the United States: For heme the bell tolls. Pediatrics 2005; 115:315–320.

Article PDF
Article PDF
Bottom Line

These study results present a quandary: We cannot feel assured that a young child doesn’t have anemia if they show a normal hemoglobin level, and we can’t be sure that he or she has anemia if the hemoglobin level is low. Screening for iron deficiency in toddlers by checking serum hemoglobin misses most children with a deficiency, and most of the children with anemia do not have an iron deficiency. As the author of this study suggests, it might make more sense to continue low-dose supplementation of iron in all children rather than use a policy of screen and treat. (LOE=1c)

 
Bottom Line

These study results present a quandary: We cannot feel assured that a young child doesn’t have anemia if they show a normal hemoglobin level, and we can’t be sure that he or she has anemia if the hemoglobin level is low. Screening for iron deficiency in toddlers by checking serum hemoglobin misses most children with a deficiency, and most of the children with anemia do not have an iron deficiency. As the author of this study suggests, it might make more sense to continue low-dose supplementation of iron in all children rather than use a policy of screen and treat. (LOE=1c)

 
Issue
The Journal of Family Practice - 54(6)
Issue
The Journal of Family Practice - 54(6)
Page Number
493-500
Page Number
493-500
Publications
Publications
Topics
Article Type
Display Headline
Anemia does not predict iron deficiency among toddlers
Display Headline
Anemia does not predict iron deficiency among toddlers
Sections
Disallow All Ads
Article PDF Media