Open Access
Subscription or Fee Access
IRON DEFICIENCY IN RURAL GHANAlAN CHILDREN
Abstract
Objectives: To compare the prevalence d iron deficiency among Ghanaian cbidren in
different residential settings and to see whether 200n1g ferrous fumerate B.P. could correct
iron deficiency anaemia in observed cases of iron deficiency.
Design: Prospcctivc case-tinding study using an Iron-deficiency society questionnaire,
laboratory data add general practice records. Crude prevalence was calcl~lated using the
hospital's mid-year estimates.
Setting: Nkoranza in the Brong Ahafo Rcgionof Ghana, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
Kumasi, Ghana
Subject: Rural-dwelling children entering as ou t-patienh, urban-dwelling children entering
as controls and new-ly diagnosed iron-deficient children cntering as in-patients.
hfuit~ outconic mearirres: Crudc prevalence rates (per quinquennia) for three grnups of
children. Correctud deficiencies espresscd as percentage aftcr management. Age,
haernoglobin, iron status, residential status, svmptoms at entry and after therapy.
Results: Following u 30-day adminbtration d ferrous furnarvte, the mcan serum iron for the
rural children increased significantly by 3.3 p o V l representing an improved iron status uf
20.09 I P<O.U(101). Iron deficiency anacmia defined by serum Hh<lZ.Og/dl and Fed2.5
mmoY 1 decreased by 10%: in the rural subjects. Comparatively. iron deficielicy among [he
newly diagnosed anaemia group, fell by 17.6% whilst their ambulant urban counterparts
employed as the control Croup had an iron deficiency anocmiu of O.D%.
Conclusion: l'he study clearly indicates that the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia
among children in rural Ghana is about ten times that of the urban-dwelling children and
that iron-deficiency anaemia accounts for a greater percentage of all anaemic cases among
children in n ~ ~ r hrlspitals. It was alsushownthnt taking appropriate iran supplen~ents like 204
mg of ferruw fumcrate for thirty days can subs tan ti all^ improve the iron status of irondeficient
children
different residential settings and to see whether 200n1g ferrous fumerate B.P. could correct
iron deficiency anaemia in observed cases of iron deficiency.
Design: Prospcctivc case-tinding study using an Iron-deficiency society questionnaire,
laboratory data add general practice records. Crude prevalence was calcl~lated using the
hospital's mid-year estimates.
Setting: Nkoranza in the Brong Ahafo Rcgionof Ghana, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
Kumasi, Ghana
Subject: Rural-dwelling children entering as ou t-patienh, urban-dwelling children entering
as controls and new-ly diagnosed iron-deficient children cntering as in-patients.
hfuit~ outconic mearirres: Crudc prevalence rates (per quinquennia) for three grnups of
children. Correctud deficiencies espresscd as percentage aftcr management. Age,
haernoglobin, iron status, residential status, svmptoms at entry and after therapy.
Results: Following u 30-day adminbtration d ferrous furnarvte, the mcan serum iron for the
rural children increased significantly by 3.3 p o V l representing an improved iron status uf
20.09 I P<O.U(101). Iron deficiency anacmia defined by serum Hh<lZ.Og/dl and Fed2.5
mmoY 1 decreased by 10%: in the rural subjects. Comparatively. iron deficielicy among [he
newly diagnosed anaemia group, fell by 17.6% whilst their ambulant urban counterparts
employed as the control Croup had an iron deficiency anocmiu of O.D%.
Conclusion: l'he study clearly indicates that the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia
among children in rural Ghana is about ten times that of the urban-dwelling children and
that iron-deficiency anaemia accounts for a greater percentage of all anaemic cases among
children in n ~ ~ r hrlspitals. It was alsushownthnt taking appropriate iran supplen~ents like 204
mg of ferruw fumcrate for thirty days can subs tan ti all^ improve the iron status of irondeficient
children
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
