Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children is primarily caused by poor nutritional habits.

Objective: This study investigated the nutritional habits of children with IDA in Jeddah city.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used a multiple-choice Arabic language electronic questionnaire on Google Forms about the nutritional habits of 120 children with IDA (71 boys and 49 girls) in Jeddah city. The mothers of the affected children answered a questionnaire in a private clinic. They were asked about iron-rich foods from animals, vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Multiple choices were divided into five stages: small (0%–20%), few (20%–40%), middle (40%–60%), moderate (60%–80%), and huge (80%–100%).

Results: Consumption of foods high in iron was low, whereas consumption of low-quality foods was high. Consumption as follows: animal sources (eggs and red meats in moderate quantities, followed by fish, salmon, and tuna in middle quantities), vegetable sources (tomato) only in moderate quantities, and fruit sources (apples, watermelons, and bananas in moderate quantities, followed by berries in middle quantities).

Conclusions: In Jeddah city, children with IDA do not eat foods high in iron but consume several low-quality foods. Most legume and vegetable sources of iron are not consumed except for a few ones (lentils and tomatoes). Seafood and animal livers are not consumed. Cow’s milk is the only type of food that is consumed in large quantities. The good news is that fruits are consumed in sufficient quantities. Therefore, IDA in children is primarily caused by poor dietary habits. Mothers must be educated about the consumption of foods high in iron in children, consumption of iron-fortified foods or milk formulas in early infancy, regular clinic visits, avoiding exclusive breastfeeding, starting oral iron at 4–6 months of age, weaning foods high in iron, and consuming artificial cow’s milk in small quantities only.

Keywords: anemia, nutrition, iron, ferritin, children