Bijleveld, C. M. A.

Stellinga-Boelen, A. A. M.

Storm, H.

Verkade, H. J.

Wiegersma, P. A.

Objectives: To investigate, in asylum seekers' children in the Netherlands, biochemical iron status and the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and anemia in relation to age, region of origin, length of stay in the Netherlands, body mass index (BMI), and dietary iron intake.Patients and Methods: Hemoglobin (Hb) and plasma ferritin concentrations were determined in 122 asylum seekers' children (median age, 7.1 years; range, 2-12 y). ID was defined by plasma ferritin levelsResults: Twenty percent of the children had compromised iron status (16% with ID, 4% with ID anemia [IDA]). Another 6% of the children had anemia caused by thalassemia. ID was significantly more prevalent in childrenConclusions;: Iron deficiency is highly prevalent among the children of asylum seekers in the Netherlands. Our data indicate that systematic biochemical screening for ID is warranted in asylum seekers' children.</p

Iron deficiency among children of asylum seekers in the Netherlands

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