FREQUENCY OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH PERSISTENT DIARRHOEA, LOW WEIGHT AND PARASITIC INFESTATION IN CHILDREN VISITING TEHSIL HEADQUARTER HOSPITAL DASKA.

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common health problem in Pakistan among younger children. Persistent diarrhea, one of the major causes of malnutrition in children especially under two years of age contributed to IDA resulting in increased mortality and morbidity in developing countries. The incidence and mortality is especially high during infancy in the absences of breast feeding. Number of factors effect prevalence of IDA in this age group, important ones, are low socio-economic status, low weight, worm infestation and persistent diarrhea.