Iron status of young children from immigrant families. Issue 12 (31st August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saunders, Natasha Ruth; Parkin, Patricia C; Birken, Catherine S; Maguire, Jonathon L; Borkhoff, Cornelia M
• Other Names: author non-byline.; Macarthur Colin author non-byline.; Mamdani Muhammad author non-byline.; Abdullah Kawsari author non-byline.; Anderson Laura N. author non-byline.; Bayoumi Imaan author non-byline.; Carsley Sarah author non-byline.; Chen Yang author non-byline.; Katz-Lavigne Mikael author non-byline.; Kavikondala Kanthi author non-byline.; Koroshegyi Christine author non-byline.; Kowal Christine author non-byline.; Lee Grace Jieun author non-byline.; Mason Dalah author non-byline.; Omand Jessica author non-byline.; Persaud Navindra author non-byline.; van den Heuvel Meta author non-byline.; Zabih Weeda author non-byline.; Baker Jillian author non-byline.; Barozzino Tony author non-byline.; Bonifacio Joey author non-byline.; Campbell Douglas author non-byline.; Cheema Sohail author non-byline.; Chisamore Brian author non-byline.; Danayan Karoon author non-byline.; Das Paul author non-byline.; Derocher Mary Beth author non-byline.; Do Anh author non-byline.; Dorey Michael author non-byline.; Freeman Sloane author non-byline.; Fung Keewai author non-byline.; Guiang Charlie author non-byline.; Handford Curtis author non-byline.; Hatch Hailey author non-byline.; Jacobson Sheila author non-byline.; Kiran Tara author non-byline.; Knowles Holly author non-byline.; Kwok Bruce author non-byline.; Lakhoo Sheila author non-byline.; Lam-Antoniades Margarita author non-byline.; Lau Eddy author non-byline.; Leung Fok-Han author non-byline.; Loo Jennifer author non-byline.; Mahmoud Sarah author non-byline.; Moodie Rosemary author non-byline.; Morinis Julia author non-byline.; Naymark Sharon author non-byline.; Neelands Patricia author non-byline.; Owen James author non-byline.; Peer Michael author non-byline.; Perlmutar Marty author non-byline.; Persaud Navindra author non-byline.; Pinto Andrew author non-byline.; Porepa Michelle author non-byline.; Ramji Nasreen author non-byline.; Ramji Noor author non-byline.; Rosenthal Alana author non-byline.; Saunderson Janet author non-byline.; Saxena Rahul author non-byline.; Sgro Michael author non-byline.; Shepherd Susan author non-byline.; Smiltnieks Barbara author non-byline.; Taylor Carolyn author non-byline.; Weisdors Thea author non-byline.; Wijayasinghe Sheila author non-byline.; Wong Peter author non-byline.; Ying Ethel author non-byline.; Young Elizabeth author non-byline.;
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 101:Issue 12(2016)
• Page Start: 1130
• Page End: 1136
• Publication Date: 2016-08-31
• Subjects: General Paediatrics -- Race and Health -- Evidence Based Medicine -- Nutrition -- Paediatric Practice; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2015-309398
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: Children from immigrant families may be at risk for iron deficiency (ID) due to differences in pre-migration and post-migration exposures. Our objectives were to determine whether there is an association between family immigrant status and iron stores and to evaluate whether known dietary, environmental or biological determinants of low iron status influence this relationship. Design: This was a cross-sectional study of healthy urban preschool children (12–72 months) recruited from seven primary care practices in Toronto. Laboratory assessment of serum ferritin and haemoglobin and standardised parent-completed surveys were completed between 2008 and 2013 during routine health maintenance visits. Multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between family immigrant status and serum ferritin, ID (ferritin <14 μg/L) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) (ferritin <14 μg/L and haemoglobin ≤110 g/L). Results: Of 2614 children included in the analysis, 47.6% had immigrant family status. The median serum ferritin was 30 μg/L and 10.4% of all children had ID and 1.9% had IDA. After adjusting for maternal ethnicity and education, age, sex, income quintile, cow's milk intake, breastfeeding duration and bottle use, there were no significant associations between immigrant status and ferritin, ID or IDA. Significant predictors of low iron status included age, sex, cow's milk intake and breastfeeding duration. Conclusions: We found no association between family immigrant status and iron status after including clinically important covariates in the models. These data suggest immigrant children may not need enhanced screening for iron status or targeted interventions for iron supplementation.