Comparison of Growth Indexes in Children with Iron Deficiency Anemia with and Without History of Iron Supplementation

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common hematological disease during infancy and childhood. This study aimed to compare growth indexes in two children groups with Iron deficiency anemia (IDA group) with and without iron consumption history. A total of 100 children (9 to 24 months without minor thalassemia etc.) were selected randomly and divided into two groups (50 per group) among patient with IDA that had come to Hematology Clinic of Pediatric Hospital in Bandar Abbas of Iran. Demographic data was collected with mothers and growth indexes measured and matched with standard curves. Crud data were analyzed in SPSS v.16 by descriptive tests and chi square. Results showed that in group with iron consumption history, 66% of patients were first child, 26% second, and 8% were third, while in second group 51% were first, 27% second, 7% third, and 5% were fourth child. There was a significant negative correlation between grade of birth and use of supplement in chi square test. Other variables include age, sex, birth weight and feeding type has not significant correlation in the Iron administered group. In head circumference recording for age index of consumers, 24 patients were in 25 to 50% but in the second group only 7 children were in same percentiles. For height to weight index between consumers, 12 patients were in 25-50% and for weight to HC index number of children 13 patients were in 10-25%; however, number of children for these indexes, ordinarily were 7 and 2 patients. The chi square test for all indexes has shown significant difference between two groups. Result of the present study showed that use of Iron supplement has a significant effect in improving growth indexes such as head circumstance for age, height to weight, and weight to HC. Also, there was a negative significant correlation between grade of birth and use of supplement; however, other variables include age, sex, birth weight and feeding type has not shown any correlation with using of Iron supplement.