Abstract

GRANDY, Giuseppe; WEISSTAUB, Gerardo  and  LOPEZ DE ROMANA, Daniel. Iron and zinc deficiency in children. Rev. bol. ped. [online]. 2010, vol.49, n.1, pp.25-31. ISSN 1024-0675.

Anemia remains a major health problem worldwide, 82% of Bolivian children among 6 to 23 months are anemic. Growth retardation is a common problem in developing countries, 32% of Bolivian children are stunted and this prevalence is the highest in South America. The most important etiological factor in both disorders, anemia and stunting, is iron and zinc deficiency, respectively. Both iron deficiency and zinc deficiency have a role as public health problems. Iron deficiency is the major cause of anemia worldwide. On the other hand zinc deficiency implies growth retardation, increased infectious disease morbidity such as diarrhea and pneumonia, especially in the first two years of life.

Keywords : iron; zinc; deficiency and children.

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