Introduction:

iron deficiency anemia is a health problem in Uruguay. In 2014, hemoglobin measurement by digital puncture in infants between 8 and 12 months was introduced as a screening method for early diagnosis.

Objective:

to determine anemia prevalence in infants between 8 and 12 months in the institution (CASMU-IAMPP), and to identify associated factors.

Method:

infants between 8 and 12 months were studied with hemoglobin measurement by digital puncture from July to December of 2014. The characteristics of the children with anemia were described and compared with the control group. The data were obtained from the medical record and by means of a telephone survey.

Results:

804 children were evaluated with hemoglobin measurement by digital puncture, 145 presented anemia (18.03%). The characteristics presented by children with anemia (n=143) were compared with the control group of children without anemia (n=143). There was no significant difference in the distribution by sex, prematurity prevalence, weight under 3.000 g, twin pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding, and adequate initiation of replacement treatment. Children with anemia presented problems in the initiation of iron supplementation, doses of supplementary iron were adequate, although adherence to treatment was bad (p<0.05).

Discussion:

the fact that 20% of children from a socio-economic sector with adequate resources have anemia is rather alarming. Early consumption of meat and adequate initiation of iron supplementation in the right doses must be encouraged, as well as a good adherence to treatment.

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