Iron deficiency in infants of Cambodian refugees.

ABSTRACT

A community study was designed to establish the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in the infants of Cambodian refugees in Dunedin. Nineteen infants between the ages of three and 19 months were identified belonging to this population and 18 had a full blood count and/or serum ferritin estimation performed. Iron deficiency (serum ferritin less than 10 micrograms/L) was found in 65% (11/17) of those tested, and anaemia (haemoglobin less than 110 g/L) with iron deficiency in 37% (6/16). While primary prevention of this problem should continue by promoting a weaning diet with adequate available iron, and perhaps by ensuring adequate maternal iron stores, screening all Cambodian infants for iron deficiency and anaemia is presently indicated.