الفهرس 
Iron in ChildrenOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Malnutrition is a major public health problem in developing countries. Micronutrient deficiency, especially iron and zinc deficiencies are the most common nutritional disorder widespread in the world. Young children are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of iron and zinc deficiencies because of their rapid growth and development.
Aim of the work: our aim of work is to study iron and zinc status of 1-5 years old children in Fayoum governorate.
Methods: This study included two hundred children randomly selected from the relatives of children seeking medical advice in the outpatient general pediatric clinic in Fayoum University Hospital. All included children were subjected to full history taking and full general and systemic examination. Complete blood count, serum iron, ferritin, total iron binding capacity, serum zinc and C-reactive protein levels were also assessed.
Results: The prevalence of iron deficiency was 57%, 25.5% and 47.5% when serum iron, ferritin and TIBC were taken as indicators of iron deficiency, respectively. The Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 31%. The prevalence of zinc deficiency was 18.5%. Combined iron and zinc deficiencies were found in 9% of the total studied children.
Conclusion: Iron-deficiency is a more serious problem among reference children; however, zinc deficiency also prevails. The suboptimal iron and zinc status pose a serious threat to the physical and mental growth of these children. Hence to curb these deficiencies necessary steps should be taken.
Key Words: iron, zinc, children, Fayoum.