Growth Pattern in Anemic Children and Adolescents , aged 12 - 14 years

Iron deficiency anemia among children and adolescents is a large health problem worldwide. Adolescence is characterized by a large growth spurt and the acquisition of adult phenotypes and biologic rhythms. During this period, iron requirements increase dramatically in both boys and girls. Anemia due to iron deficiency often coexists with zinc deficiency. Deficits in macronutrients or micronutrients can impair growth. Menstruation increases the risk for iron deficiency anemia among girls throughout their adolescence. The aim of the present work is to assess growth pattern in anemic boys and girls and to study relations between anthropometric parameters and hemoglobin, iron and zinc levels. The sample consisted of 60 anemic children and adolescents aged from 1214 years (30 boys and 30 girls) and 30 normal healthy children (15 boys and 15girls). Weight, height, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), waist and hip circumferences were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Sexand age-independent SD scores (SDS) were calculated for all anthropometric measurements with the use of the Egyptian reference data. Hemoglobin concentration, serum ferritin, iron and zinc were measured for patients and control. Anemic girls showed significant association between height SDS, weight SDS, BMI SDS and hemoglobin concentration level and also between MUAC SDS and zinc level. Anemic boys showed less marked growth delay. The study showed that growth delay was pronounced among anemic girls during adolescent growth spurt. Thus, age and sex are the factors most predicative of growth delay among Egyptian adolescents. The study emphasized that iron and zinc are essential micronutrients for normal growth and anemia has a negative impact on growth. The study suggests regular nutrition assessment of adolescents and recommends behavior modification to get dietary change among adolescents. The inhibited growth rate, induced by the iron-deficient diet could be reversed by giving a diet supplemented with iron. [Sanaa Kamal; Moushira Erfan; Shams Mohamad Kholoussi; and karima Abd Elfatta Bahgat. Growth Pattern in Anemic Children and Adolescents, aged 12-14 years. Journal of American Science 2010;6(12):1636-1646]. (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.americanscience.org.