article · Nutrients
A cross-sectional investigation of 432 children aged one to five years in the rural Popokabaka Health Zone of the Democratic Republic of Congo examined the prevalence and drivers of anaemia and iron deficiency in a malaria-endemic area. Anaemia was identified in 68 percent of the children, and malaria infection was present in 87 percent. Iron deficiency was comparatively low, identified in 1.8 percent of participants when measured by adjusted ferritin and 12.9 percent based on transferrin saturation. Markers of iron deficiency did not correlate significantly with low haemoglobin concentrations. Instead, the primary factors linked to anaemia were malaria, fever, and elevated C-reactive protein levels exceeding 5 milligrams per litre. The findings show that anaemia control in this environment needs to prioritise the treatment and management of infectious diseases and inflammatory conditions rather than focusing primarily on nutritional iron supplementation.
Childhood anaemia is often assumed to stem mainly from nutritional iron deficiency, leading to standard iron supplementation policies. This evidence shows that in rural, malaria-endemic environments, systemic infections and inflammation can be the primary drivers of low haemoglobin. Healthcare providers and public health organisations must address infection management, particularly malaria control, to effectively reduce high anaemia burdens in vulnerable pediatric populations.
This early-stage epidemiological research provides clinical insights that can guide public health programmes, diagnostic test developers, and non-governmental organisations working in child health. Rather than developing isolated iron supplementation initiatives, interventions in such settings must integrate rapid infection diagnostics and inflammation management. The study does not describe a commercial product or a direct commercialisation pathway, remaining at the level of observational health evidence.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Iron deficiency (ID), the leading cause of anemia and the most common nutritional deficiency globally, is not well reported among children in malaria-endemic settings, and little is known about its contribution to anemia in these settings. We aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia, the role of ID using multiple parameters, and the factors associated with anemia in a malaria-endemic rural area. We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study of 432 children aged 1-5 years from the Popokabaka Health Zone, Democratic Republic of Congo. Sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, anthropometric parameters, and biochemical parameters were considered. Hemoglobin and malaria prevalence were assessed using rapid finger-prick capillary blood testing in the field. Venous blood samples were analyzed for serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in a laboratory. Anemia was found in 294 out of 432 (68%) patients. Malaria was found in 375 out of 432 (87%), and ID in 1.8% according to diagnosis by adjusted ferritin only and in 12.9% according to transferrin saturation. ID indicators were not significantly correlated with low hemoglobin levels. Malaria, fever, and CRP > 5 mg/L were major factors associated with anemia in Popokabaka. Anemia control should focus on treating inflammatory conditions and infectious diseases among children in such settings.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.3390/nu13031010
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
