SEVERE IRON-DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN FIJI CHILDREN

Aims. A prospective study to determine the magnitude of the problem of severe iron deficiency anaemia in Fiji children with intercurrent illnesses and their response to the interventions with dietary modifications and iron therapy. Methods. A total of 2136 consecutive children between 6 months and 12 years of age, who attended a hospital and a health centre in Fiji, for intercurrent illness, during a 9 months period, were screened for severe iron deficiency anaemia (haemoglobin < 70 g/L). Results. Eighty children (3.7%) had severe iron deficiency anaemia. Majority (75%) of children with severe anaemia were younger than 2 years. Dietary and iron therapy were successful in correcting anaemia in all 80 children. Conclusions. Severe iron deficiency anaemia was common in Fiji children seeking medical attention for intercurrent illness. Simple therapeutic measures, which included dietary advice and iron therapy, were successful in correcting this severe debility in those children.