RESUMO
The diagnosis and the effects of treatment of anemia were assessed in children aged 6-71 months. A total of 1,161 preschool children from a health center of INAMPS (Instituto Nacional de Assistência Médica e Previdência Social) in Recife, Pernambuco, was studied. Hemoglobin was determined by the method described by Hainline. WHO criteria were used to identify anemia. According to their age, nutritional status and family income, the children were divided into groups, and those with anemia were treated with ferrous sulphate and an anti-helminthic (mebendazole). Anemia prevalence was substantially higher in children aged 2 years, and a statistically significant association (0.01 level) was found between anemia and nutritional status and family income. After treatment, hemoglobin values were normal in 40% of the anemic children; simultaneously, mean hemoglobin values increased from 9.11 to 10.3 g/dl which was statistically significant (p less than 0.001). This investigation is part of a collaborative study performed in four Brazilian states to offer "know-how" to a national program for combating iron deficiency anemia.
Assuntos
Anemia/epidemiologia , Anemia/sangue , Anemia/tratamento farmacológico , Anemia Hipocrômica/tratamento farmacológico , Anemia Hipocrômica/epidemiologia , Brasil/epidemiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Seguimentos , Hemoglobinas/análise , Humanos , Renda , Lactente , Ferro/uso terapêutico , Mebendazol/uso terapêutico , PrevalênciaRESUMO
The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the distribution of protein-energy malnutrition, anemia and hypovitaminosis A in relation to accessibility and size of rural lands. About 689 families from the Agreste rural area (Pernambuco, North-East Brazil) were studied. A total of 1,257 children under 6 years of age were distributed in four groups according to the size of the land. The nutritional status was assessed according to the criteria of Gómez, Ariza-Macías and Seoane-Latham, modified by Batista Filho. In accordance with the Gómez' method, 55.1% of the children suffered from some degree of malnutrition. About 67.0% of the landless families suffered from malnutrition, in contrast to 25% of the landowners who had 50 or more than 50 hectares of land (p less than 0.01). Hemoglobin was determined in 976 children; 38.9% of them suffered from anemia. No significant differences were detected among the several groups of land tenants. Serum retinol levels were measured in 412 children and a high incidence of hypovitaminosis A was detected: 24% had serum retinol levels below 20 mcg/100 ml. No significant association was found in relation to the different land tenure groups. These data demonstrate a high prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition, anemia and hypovitaminosis A. A significant correlation between protein-energy malnutrition and the size of the land was also found, demonstrating that this region is one of the most affected by food and nutritional problems.