IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA IN PRESCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN: PREVALENCE AND PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES

Abstract

Iron deficiency anaemia remains the most prevalent nutritional deficiency disorder affecting preschool-aged children globally, with disproportionate burden concentrated in low-resource settings. This comprehensive scientific review examines contemporary epidemiological patterns and evidence-based preventive strategies for iron deficiency anaemia in children aged six to fifty-nine months. Analysis of current evidence reveals that preschool children constitute the highest-risk population group, with global prevalence estimates approximating forty-two percent in this age demographic. Recent large-scale epidemiological investigations demonstrate persistent geographic and socioeconomic disparities, with prevalence rates ranging from 5.3 percent in northeastern China to 15.8 percent in central Chinese provinces. The etiology of iron deficiency anaemia in this age group is multifactorial, encompassing inadequate dietary iron intake, poor iron bioavailability, accelerated growth requirements, and suboptimal feeding practices. Preventive interventions operate across complementary levels: nutrition-specific approaches including daily iron supplementation, multiple micronutrient powder home fortification, lipid-based nutrient supplementation, and iron fortification of staple foods; nutrition-sensitive strategies addressing dietary diversity, feeding practices, and maternal education; and public health measures encompassing food fortification policies and health system strengthening. Network meta-analytic evidence demonstrates that multiple micronutrient supplementation achieves the greatest reduction in iron deficiency anaemia risk, while lipid-based nutrient supplementation produces the largest increase in haemoglobin concentration among preschool children. Implementation challenges include supply chain constraints, adherence difficulties, and safety considerations in malaria-endemic regions. This review concludes that effective prevention requires integrated, multi-level approaches tailored to local epidemiological contexts and health system capacities, with particular emphasis on the first one thousand days of life as a critical intervention window.