The prevalence of Iron Deficiency and Its Anemia in 1-5 Years Old Children and Their Mothers in Birjand City

Background &Objective: Micronutrient deficiencies are the most common nutritional disorders in the world in which iron deficiency is the most important one. This study was done for investigating the prevalence of iron deficiency and its anemia in children and their mothers in Birjand city in 2011.Materials & Methods: 143 children of 1-5 years old who referred to the health care centers of Birjand city were chosen by multistage cluster random sampling method and both the children and mothers were studied. After filling the questionnaire about demographic characteristics of children and mothers, the hemoglobin and ferritin of both children and their mothers were measured.Results: 12.6 % of the children and 16.1% of the mothers had iron deficiency, 16.8 % of children and 15.4 % of mothers had iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in both children and mothers was significantly higher especially among working mothers. Both children’s iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia had a significant and direct relation with mother’s iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia.Conclusion: It is recommended to elevate the awareness of mothers, especially the working ones about the danger of iron deficiency and its anemia in their children and themselves, educate them about the correct nutritional habits for their family and themselves, screen the children of 1-5 years old for iron deficiency and its anemia and also investigate mothers’ children with iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia.