Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among primary school children in menoufiya governorate, Egypt and its impact on their school performance

Abstract EN

Background : iron deficiency anemia is a common problem in young children that may has a detrimental effect on their behavior and school achievement. Aims : to estimate the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and to evaluate its effect on school achievement scores among school children. Methods : 1071 apparently healthy children from 6-12 years old were included 57.4% were from urban and 42.6% were from rural area.

Each student was subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination, growth assessment, stool analysis, hemoglobin level estimation and (CBC) and serum ferritin for anemic children.

IQ assessment was done using an Arabic version of Stanford-Benet intelligence scale.

School achievement assessed by reviewing the examination records for the previous learning term was analyzed.

School attendance days in the previous learning term of the year were calculated. Results : iron deficiency anemia and parasitic infestations were diagnosed in 36.9% and 62.4% of the studied school children respectively.

The majority of iron deficiency anemic children were in the below average sector of IQ .The number of anemic children in the (<50%) sector of School achievement was significant higher than those of non-anemic.

The prevalence of parasitic infestations and iron deficiency anemia were significantly higher in rural compared to the urban area iffier was- highly.

Significant, prevalence ctL Slow learner (68-78) sector of 10 in rural compared to urban school children.

The number of school children in the sector (75-84%) of School achievement in rural area was significant higher than those of urban area. Conclusion : iron deficiency anemia is highly prevalent among Egyptian school children that impair their academic school achievement.

Screening for iron deficiency without anemia should be mandated for those children and an iron supplementation program is highly recommended.