Dataset Information

Prevalence of Anemia and Associated Factors among Infants under Six Months in Rural China.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine haemoglobin level and anaemia status among infants under six months of age in rural China.

Design

A cross-sectional survey collected data among infants under six months and their primary caregivers in Sichuan, China. Anaemia was defined using both the WHO and China Pediatrics Association thresholds. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify relevant factors among two age groups (<4 months; 4-5 months).

Setting

80 townships were selected in Sichuan, China from November to December 2019.

Participants

942 infants under six months, while haemoglobin level were tested for 577 infants.

Results

The overall mean (±SD) haemoglobin level was 106.03 (± 12.04) g/L. About 62.6% (95%CI: 58.5, 66.6) of sample infants were anemic using the WHO threshold, and 20.5% (95%CI: 17.3, 24.1) were anemic using the China Pediatrics Association thresholds. Anaemia rates rose with increasing age in months. Multivariable linear regressions revealed that lower haemoglobin levels were significantly associated with lower birth weight (<4 months: b = 4.14, 95% CI: 0.19, 8.08; 4-5 months: b = 6.60, 95% CI: 2.94, 10.27) and delivery by cesarean section (<4 months: b = -4.64, 95%CI: -7.79, -1.49; 4-5 months: b = -4.58, 95%CI: -7.45, -1.71).

Conclusion

A large share of infants under six months in rural western China are anemic. Infants with low-birth-weight and cesarean-delivered should be prioritized for anaemia testing. Future studies should move the point of focus forward to at least 4 months of age and examine the link between cesarean-section and anaemia to promote health and development in infancy.

SUBMITTER: Du Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9989709 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Prevalence of anaemia and associated factors among infants under 6 months in rural China.

Du Yefan Y Durstenfeld Anne A Dill Sarah-Eve SE Wang Qingzhi Q Zhou Huan H Xue Hao H Kache Saraswati S Medina Alexis A Rozelle Scott S

Public health nutrition 20220803 3

<h4>Objective</h4>To examine Hb level and anaemia status among infants under 6 months of age in rural China.<h4>Design</h4>A cross-sectional survey collected data among infants under 6 months and their primary caregivers in Sichuan, China. Anaemia was defined using both the WHO and China Pediatrics Association thresholds. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify relevant factors among two age groups (<4 months; 4-5 months).<h4>Setting</h4>Eighty townships were selected in Sichuan, Ch ...[more]

PMID: 35920295

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