• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 2010

Purpose: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common nutritional problems, despite a recent improvement of nutritional status of infants and children. We assessed the risk factors for IDA in infants and vitamin D deficiency and IDA by nutrition analysis. Methods: We analyzed blood tests and evaluated 103 children with IDA and 123 children without IDA, 6-36 months of age, who were cared for in our hospital between March 2006 and July 2010. Nutritional analysis using Canpro was performed among breastfed infants 6~12 months of age who had been diagnosed with IDA and had detailed diet histories. Results: Breastfed infants accounted for 87.4% and 40.7% of the IDA and comparison groups, respectively. The IDA and comparison groups began weaning food at 6.4${\pm}$1.8 and 5.9${\pm}$1.3 months, respectively. In the IDA and comparison groups, 46.4% and 53.5% began to adapt to weaning food within 4 weeks, respectively. The most common reason for hospital care of the IDA group was respiratory symptoms constituting 36.2%. Only 18.6% visited the hospital for palloror anemia. The Canpro analysis, performed on 11 infants with IDA, showed that iron and vitamin D were <40% and 30% of recommended intakes, respectively. Conclusion: Weaning food should be started 4~6 months of age in breastfed infants. In infants at high risk for IDA and vitamin D deficiency, screening tests should be recommended. The high-risk infants may require iron, vitamin D fortified formula, or oral supplements.