Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40951020›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Assessment of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children Aged 6-24 Months at the Follow-Up Clinic of Abia State Children's Specialist Hospital, Umuahia, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Chimaobi Ezekiel Ijioma, Izuchukwu E Okeji, Chiemela Obiocha Onubogu, Oladoyin Ogunbayo Jolaoye, Ngozi Uloma Enwereji, Christopher C Okafor, Olalekan E Aminu-Ayinde, Ugonna Emmanuella Ojumonu, Ihechiluru Lazarus Nwokeafor, Uzoma Ndukwe and 6 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Chimaobi Ezekiel IjiomaPediatrics, Abia State Children's Specialist Hospital, Umuahia, NGA.
Izuchukwu E OkejiGeneral Medicine, North Cumbria Integrated Care, NHS Foundation Trust, Cumbria, GBR.
Chiemela Obiocha OnuboguInternal Medicine, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, NGA.
Oladoyin Ogunbayo JolaoyeInternal Medicine-Pediatrics, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria/OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria, USA.
Ngozi Uloma EnwerejiPediatrics, Abia State Children's Specialist Hospital, Umuahia, NGA.
Christopher C OkaforMedicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, NGA.
Olalekan E Aminu-AyindeGeneral Medicine, Comfort Clinic, Ibafo, NGA.
Ugonna Emmanuella OjumonuInternal Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, NGA.
Ihechiluru Lazarus NwokeaforInternal Medicine, Nigerian Christian Hospital, Onicha Ngwa, NGA.
Uzoma NdukwePediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA.
Chinenye Adanna NgwoguNeurology, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, GBR.
Kelechi Kenneth NgwoguCommunity Medicine, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, NGA.
Nelson Obioma UzorPediatrics, University Hospital, Southampton, GBR.
Peace D AkhimienmhonaInternal Medicine, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, UKR.
Prosper Chisom OkebugwuFamily Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, USA.
Chukwudi Jeffrey EkweozorInternal Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, NGA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a major public health concern among children under two years of age, particularly in developing countries such as Nigeria. During this critical period of growth and brain development, undiagnosed and untreated IDA can lead to long-term cognitive, behavioral, and physical impairments. Timely identification and intervention are therefore essential to improving health outcomes and reducing the burden of childhood anemia. Aim The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence, severity, and associated factors of IDA among children aged 6-24 months attending the follow-up clinic at Abia State Children's Specialist Hospital, Umuahia, Nigeria. Methods This hospital-based cross-sectional study involved 215 systematically selected children aged 6-24 months. Data were collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires covering sociodemographics, feeding practices, medical history, caregiver knowledge, and healthcare-seeking behavior. Anthropometric measurements followed WHO guidelines. Hemoglobin concentration, serum ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured. IDA was defined as hemoglobin <11.0 g/dL and serum ferritin <12 µg/L, or <30 µg/L with elevated CRP. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), employing chi-square tests, bivariate analysis, and multivariable logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results The prevalence of IDA was 13.6%, while the overall anemia prevalence was 37.7%. Among anemic children, 19.1% had mild, 14.0% had moderate, and 4.7% had severe anemia. Microcytic hypochromic anemia accounted for 59.3% of cases. Significant predictors of IDA included low dietary diversity (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.42; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17-4.99; p=0.017), maternal education ≤ primary level (AOR=1.98; 95% CI: 1.03-3.79; p=0.041), and household income <₦30,000 (AOR=2.11; 95% CI: 1.09-4.10; p=0.027). Caregiver knowledge was poor in 28.8%, and only 36.7% reported prior use of iron supplements. Conclusion IDA remains a notable concern among children aged 6-24 months in Umuahia, driven by socioeconomic and nutritional factors. Strengthening caregiver education, promoting dietary diversity, and encouraging early screening are essential to reducing the burden of IDA in this vulnerable population.

Indexed as

caregiver awarenesschildren under twodietary diversityhemoglobiniron deficiency anemiamaternal education

Identifiers

PMID40951020
PMCPMC12431896

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.