Clinicolaboratory findings and treatment of iron-deficiency anemia in childhood.

One of the major causes of anemia in childhood worldwide is iron deficiency. Its prevalence depends mainly on age, being higher in infancy and adolescence. Its etiology varies, but poor iron diet is considered the commonest causative factor. Better tactics may be needed, like the targeted screening of children who belong to high-risk groups, to eradicate childhood iron deficiency. The amount of the body iron regulates its absorption from the gut through mechanisms that are still poorly understood. Early identification of iron deficiency is essential for the prevention not only of anemia but also the numerous and long-term consequences caused by the lack of iron. Many tests are available for the diagnosis of the disease. Some of them seem very promising for the early detection of iron deficiency, but further research is needed before they become widely acceptable in clinical practice. Treatment is based on oral iron salts, which do not have any serious side effects.