Iron Supplementation Recommendations for Infants in Primary Health Care

Abstract

Background. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia and is significant health burden worldwide. It is challenging to recognize iron deficiency in the early stages without specific laboratory analyses, yet its consequences during first year of life may be severe and irreversible. Aims and objectives. The aim of this study was to explore the relevant literature in order to identify modern perspective on the definition of iron deficiency, its risk factors, symptoms, preventative methods, and treatment modalities with relation to healthy, full-term infants. Methods and materials. The literature search was done through Cochrane Library, EBSCO, and PubMed (Medline) electronic databases using keywords. Titles and abstracts of the found articles were evaluated for the relevance to the subject. Free, full-text articles in English, between years 2000 and 2020, with applied exclusion/inclusion criteria were selected. Results. A total of 55 articles were included in the review and relevant information was extracted and analysed. The summary of accumulated knowledge was then discussed in corresponding chapters. Conclusion. It is crucial for every primary health care physician to have a thorough understanding of iron deficiency and to establish clear communication with care givers, in order to recognize early risks and apply immediate interventions. Furthermore, for clarifying ambiguous points and uncertainties, the large-scale studies in European population are needed, due to considerable differences in living conditions and resulting risk factors across the world.Background. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia and is significant health burden worldwide. It is challenging to recognize iron deficiency in the early stages without specific laboratory analyses, yet its consequences during first year of life may be severe and irreversible. Aims and objectives. The aim of this study was to explore the relevant literature in order to identify modern perspective on the definition of iron deficiency, its risk factors, symptoms, preventative methods, and treatment modalities with relation to healthy, full-term infants. Methods and materials. The literature search was done through Cochrane Library, EBSCO, and PubMed (Medline) electronic databases using keywords. Titles and abstracts of the found articles were evaluated for the relevance to the subject. Free, full-text articles in English, between years 2000 and 2020, with applied exclusion/inclusion criteria were selected. Results. A total of 55 articles were included in the review and relevant information was extracted and analysed. The summary of accumulated knowledge was then discussed in corresponding chapters. Conclusion. It is crucial for every primary health care physician to have a thorough understanding of iron deficiency and to establish clear communication with care givers, in order to recognize early risks and apply immediate interventions. Furthermore, for clarifying ambiguous points and uncertainties, the large-scale studies in European population are needed, due to considerable differences in living conditions and resulting risk factors across the world.