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Prevalence of iron-deficiency anaemia in Brazilian children under 5 years of age: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 December 2020

Victor N. C. Silveira*
Affiliation:
Physiological Sciences Department, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
Carolina A. Carvalho
Affiliation:
Medical Course Coordination, Federal University of Maranhão, Pinheiro, MA, Brazil
Poliana C. A. F. Viola
Affiliation:
Nutrition Department, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil
Elma I. S. Magalhães
Affiliation:
Post-Graduate Program in Collective Health, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
Luana L. Padilha
Affiliation:
Nutrition Course Coordination, University Centre Estácio São Luís, São Luís, MA, Brazil
Sueli I. O. Conceição
Affiliation:
Physiological Sciences Department, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
Maria Tereza B. A. Frota
Affiliation:
Physiological Sciences Department, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
Isabela L. Calado
Affiliation:
Physiological Sciences Department, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
Nayra A. C. Cantanhede
Affiliation:
Physiological Sciences Department, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
Sylvia C. C. Franceschini
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Health Department, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
Ana Karina T. C. França
Affiliation:
Physiological Sciences Department, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil Post-Graduate Program in Collective Health, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
*
*Corresponding author: Victor Nogueira da Cruz Silveira, email victorncsilveira@gmail.com
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Abstract

Fe-deficiency anaemia is considered an important public health problem both in wealthier countries and in those of medium and low income, especially in children under 5 years of age. The shortage of studies with national representativity in medium-income countries, such as Brazil, prevents the knowledge of the current situation and its associated factors. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence of Fe-deficiency anaemia in Brazilian children under 5 years of age and determined the factors involved in the variability of the estimates of prevalence. We collected fifty-seven studies from the databases MEDLINE, LILACS and Web of Science, along with the reference lists of included articles. We contacted authors for unpublished data. We did not restrict publication timespan and language. This systematic review and meta-analysis was reported according to the guidelines by PRISMA. The pooled prevalence of anaemia in Brazil was 40·2 (95 % CI 36·0, 44·8) %. The age range of the child and the period of data collection were associated with the anaemia prevalence. The pooled prevalence of anaemia was higher in children under 24 months of age (53·5 v. 30·7 %; P < 0·001) and in studies with data collected before 2004 (51·8 v. 32·6 %; P = 0·001). The efforts made by the Brazilian government were successful in the reduction of anaemia in children under 5 years of age in Brazil in the evaluated period. However, prevalence remains beyond acceptable levels for this population group.

Information

Type
Full Papers
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society
Figure 0

Fig. 1. Research and selection flow chart of studies that are part of this systematic review and meta-analysis.

Figure 1

Table 1. Description of the studies included in the present meta-analysis of the prevalence of anaemia in children under 5 years of age in Brazil(Percentages and 95 % confidence intervals)

Figure 2

Table 2. Association of methodological covariates with anaemia prevalence estimates in children under 5 years in Brazil(Pooled prevalence estimates and 95 % confidence intervals)