Table 3 The frequency of risk factors in iron deficiency anemia affected infants and young children aged 6 to 23 months (multiple answers).
a)Prolonged BMF: exclusive breast milk feeding till >6 months of age. b)LBW: birth weight <2.5 kg. c)Failure to thrive: undernutrition - weight <2nd percentile of age and gender corrected gestation weight, or weight <80% of the ideal weight for age. d)Gastrointestinal loss: chronic diarrhea and melena. e)Inappropriate milk intake: introduction of unmodified cow’s milk before 12 months of age, cow’s milk protein induced colitis, or the consumption of cow’s milk >700 mL/day.
Abbreviations: IDA, iron deficiency anemia; BMF, breast milk feeding; LBW, low birth weight.