60pc rural children under two have anemia
Says study
Around 60 percent children under the age of two in rural areas of the country are suffering from anemia, said a study that also uncovered other causes besides iron deficiency for the disorder.
The Child Development Unit of ICDDR,B recently conducted a longitudinal intervention study on iron-deficient anemic children identified from 30 villages of Monohardi upazila of Narsingdi district.
Out of 1,237 children under the age of 2 in the study, 60 percent were found to be anemic but only half the number was suffering due to iron deficiency.
The iron-deficient children responded well to short-term iron intervention but understanding the other causes of anemia is important to deliver effective therapy to prevent this early childhood problem, the study observed.
The study stresses for early intervention by determining other causes of anemia because at a younger stage it affects optimum brain development.
Vitamin A deficiency was also common in the children of the study group and is said to contribute to anemia.
Anemia during early childhood affects the immune system, growth and optimum brain development.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Related News
Boy found dead in Ctg monastery
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Crime & Justice
Eid joy marred by tragedy
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Bangladesh
Sitakunda Blast: Who started the fire?
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Accidents & Fires
Railway’s east zone reels from manpower crisis
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Transport
Barred from rally at Suhrawardy, BNP to hold protest across country tomorrow
13 November 2016, 07:30 AM
Politics
Comments