Iron deficiency anemia

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia is the most frequent and widespread anemia around the world. Its prevalence is increased in infants and adolescent girls. The etiologic factors may vary but anemia is essentially related to iron-deficient nutrition, blood loss and malabsorption. Children may have paleness, cardiovascular and neurologic impacts of anemia, pica, epithelial changes as koilonychia, glossitis, angular stomatitis. Treatment is by oral or parenteral supplementation of iron. (Turk Arch Ped 2009; 44 Suppl: 14-8)