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Anemia in Children Less Than Two Years of Age
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Working Group on Strategies to Eliminate Iron Deficiency in Children Less Than Two Years of Age by 2008
This Working Group (WG)
has been set up in a joint effort by several organizations to review, strengthen,
and where necessary, create the strategies needed to prevent and control iron
deficiency in children less than two years of age throughout the world. The
WG's organization has been facilitated by the Iron Deficiency Project Advisory
Service (IDPAS), a project of the International Nutrition Foundation and the
United Nations University in collaboration and with support from the US Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention and the Micronutrient Initiative in Canada.
Participation in the WG was seen from a number of private, public and bi-lateral
agencies, including UNICEF, WHO, USAID, ILSI, the World Bank, HKI, Roche Vitamins,
Heinz, Proctor and Gamble, and others.
The objective of this WG, goes beyond reviewing research,
guidelines and knowledge gaps. It has been formed to include those individuals
with levels of scientific and programming expertise that can lead toward identifying
feasible methods by which developing countries can successfully reduce the prevalence
of iron deficiency anemia in children less than two years of age. A working
group meeting in September 2002 and resulting report should serve as a milestone
in addressing the SCN's goal of reducing anemia, including iron deficiency,
by 30% in all populations by 2010.
The following is an outline of key issues that have been identified
by the WG. Along with these issues, are links to an initial list of related
research and documentation. The outline is intended to facilitate identification
of important issues and areas of needed research. It serves as the initial framework
for identifying strategies to eliminate anemia, including iron deficiency, in
children less than two years of age. In addition, most of the presentations
made at the September 2002 WG meeting are available. These presentations cover
many of the identified issues and attempt to further our knowledge and understanding
and offer relevant strategies and recommendations for next steps.
Topic Outline
Background
& Prevalence of Anemia in Children Less
Than Two Years
of Age
Assessments
& tools
Prevalence
Definitions
& cut-off points for anemia
Prevalence:
Why/Should IDA commonly occur in children less
than 24 months of age?
Impacts
of Anemia in Children 0-24 months
Physical
consequences
Cognitive
consequences
Providing
optimal Nutrition for Children Less Than
Two Years of Age
0-6
months
Micronutrient
needs
Breastfeeding
Early
use of complementary foods
Use
of micronutrient supplements/fortifications
6-24
months
Breastfeeding
Complementary
foods
Use
of micronutrient supplements/fortifications
Technical
Issues Related to Providing Adequate Iron for
Children Less
Than Two Years of Age
Supplements
& Supplementation
Fortification
Strategies
Needed to Prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia in
Children Less Than Two Years of Age
Before
birth: Mother's Health
Supplements
Fortifcation
Overall
health
Complications
At
birth
0-6
months
Older
than 6 months
Weaning
practices
Intervention
Development
Better
nutrition before and during pregnancy
During
birth and after birth
Supplementation
(2-24 months)
Funding
and programme development
Other
Issues
Manufactured
foods and supplements
HIV
Helminthes
and Malaria
Parenteral
iron
ORS:
A potential model for global development strategies
and
tools to prevent IDA in children?
Micronutrient
nutrition in children less than two in emergencies
Multi-nutrient
vs single-nutrient interventions
 Iron Deficiency Project Advisory Service International Nutrition Foundation Web site: http://www.micronutrient.org/IDPAS Email: idpas@inffoundation.org Phone (1-617) 636-3770 Fax: (1-617) 636-3781 Project Office: 150 Harrison Street, Boston, MA, 02111 Gerald J. & Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University |