Iron deficiency anemia, characterization and treatment in children under 5 years of age at Health Center No.3- Loja, Ecuador

Abstract

Anemia, a globally widespread condition, shows a high prevalence in developing countries, particularly in high-risk groups, with children under five years of age being among the most affected. Lack of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can lead to deterioration in cognitive abilities and delays in child development. Objetivo: To investigate and determine the prevalence of anemia in children under five years of age treated at Health Center No. 3. Metodología: This was a descriptive and quantitative study. The analysis included a sample of 251 children and was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Public Health (MSP). Resultados: The results revealed that 51% of the children had mild iron deficiency anemia, 47% had moderate iron deficiency anemia, and 2% had severe iron deficiency anemia. Regarding treatment, 49.3% of cases of mild anemia received polymaltose iron, 46.7% received ferrous sulfate, and 4% received no treatment. In cases of moderate anemia, 49.4% received polymaltose iron, 46.15% received ferrous sulfate, and 4.39% were not treated. For severe anemia, 66.6% received polymaltose iron and 33.4% received ferrous sulfate; all cases of severe anemia received treatment. Conclusión: Approximately 2 in 10 children with mild anemia and 1 in 10 with moderate anemia did not receive the recommended treatment. This emphasizes the importance of improving care and access to appropriate treatments to ensure healthy development in children affected by this condition.