Practices of Introduction of Complementary Feeding and Iron Deficiency Prevention in the Middle East and North Africa.

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) with or without anemia is associated with impaired mental and psychomotor development. Given the paucity of information on physicians' knowledge and practices on iron (Fe) supplementation and impact of ID in the Middle East and North Africa, it was felt important to conduct a survey.

Method: A group of expert physicians developed a questionnaire that was randomly distributed among Middle East and North Africa doctors to assess their knowledge and practices on introduction of complementary feeding, impact of ID, its prevention, and their impression on prevalence of ID.