Anemia Among Children Exposed to Polyparasitism in Coastal Kenya

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Alicia Chang CojulunCharles H King

Abstract

Anemia represents a substantial problem for children living in areas with limited resources and significant parasite burden. We performed a cross-sectional study of 254 Kenyan preschool- and early school-age children in a setting endemic for multiple chronic parasitic infections to explore mechanisms of their anemia. Complete venous blood cell counts revealed a high prevalence of local childhood anemia (79%). Evaluating the potential links between low hemoglobin and socioeconomic factors, nutritional status, hemoglobinopathy, and/or parasite infection, we identified age < 9 years (odds ratio [OR]: 12.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.4, 33) and the presence of asymptomatic malaria infection (OR: 6.8, 95% CI: 2.1, 22) as the strongest independent correlates of having anemia. A total of 130/155 (84%) of anemic children with iron studies had evidence of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), 16% had non-IDA; 50/52 of additionally tested anemic children met soluble transferrin-receptor (sTfR) criteria for combined anemia of inflammation (AI) with IDA. Children in the youngest age group had the greatest odds of iron deficiency (OR: 10.0, 95% CI: 3.9, 26). Although older children aged 9-11 years had less anemia, they had more detectable mala...Continue Reading

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Citations

May 11, 2019·The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·Julia KaoAngelle Desiree LaBeaud
Sep 16, 2016·Parasitology Research·Jun SunChang-Le Ji
Jul 5, 2017·Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·Chalotte W StecherBirgitte Vennervald
Mar 23, 2021·Global Pediatric Health·Eren OyunguMegan S McHenry

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