Risk factors associated with anemia in children aged 1 month to 2 years old
Keywords:
anemia; dietary transition; hemoglobin; micronutrients; risk factorsAbstract
Introduction: childhood anemia is one of the major public health problems worldwide. It affects a significant proportion of children under five years of age.
Objective: to describe the risk factors possibly associated with the onset of anemia in children aged one month to two years.
Methods: a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study involving children aged 1 to 24 months at the “Mannín Renner” Health Center (Rivas, Nicaragua) during the second half of 2025. From a total population of 344 children with anemia, a probability sample of 184 was selected. Information was obtained from medical records and structured interviews with mothers and caregivers. Sociodemographic variables, feeding practices, and clinical characteristics were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used, and ethical standards were met.
Results: 40.20 % of the children were between 13 and 24 months old; 28.60 % had mild anemia; 44.60 % had experienced recent infections; 22.80 % were premature; and 13.00 % weighed less than 2,500 g at birth. Among those who did not consume iron-rich foods (3.20 %), the majority suffered from moderate anemia.
Conclusions: the frequency of consumption of foods rich in iron, the age at which complementary feeding begins, the history of recent infections, prematurity, and low birth weight are important aspects in comprehensive controls of nutritional and clinical status during the first two years of life. The study revealed data to take into account in nutritional surveillance and food education actions to prevent anemia.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Kevin Enmanuel García Vanegas, José Carlos Suazo Alfaro, Luisa de los Ángeles Mendieta Espinoza, Marbet Gabriela Mendoza Cajina, Cynthia Raquel Icabalceta Orozco, Wendy Matilde Martínez Barrantes
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