Abstract

DELGADO, Thais et al. Irion deficiency anemia and hemoglobin variants in children from Caracas. Arch Venez Puer Ped [online]. 2013, vol.76, n.3, pp.87-92. ISSN 0004-0649.

Anemia is a public health problem that affects populations in developed and developing countries. The most common factor related to the development of anemia is iron deficiency. In our country there have been several publications reporting a frequency of approximately 50% of anemia in children. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and hemoglobin variants in children from “Parroquia San Juan. Caracas”. Methods: Population: We studied 336 individuals, with ages between 5 and 13 years, all students of the Agustin Zamora Quintana Middle School in Caracas. An informed consent was obtained from the parents or guardians. A blood sample with EDTA tube and another with no anticoagulant were obtained from every child. Complete blood count, hemoglobin electrophoresis at alkaline pH, high resolution liquid chromatography and dynamic iron studies (iron in serum, iron binding capacity and ferritin) were  performed. Results: Among the studied population, 0.87% individuals were anemic, among which 0.59% had iron deficiency. 2.97% of the children presented abnormal hemoglobin (8 A / S, 2 A / C). Conclusion: The percentage of anemic individuals or with iron deficiency was significantly low compared to the percentage reported by several publications in our country, while the frequency of hemoglobin variants is in agreement with other studies in the Venezuelan population.

Keywords : anemia; prevalence; deficiency; nutrition; hemoglobin variants.

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