Evolução de indicadores nutricionais de saúde infantil entre 2003 e 2007 em área urbana de Acrelândia, Acre / Evolution of nutritional indicators of child health between 2003 and 2007 in urban area of Acrelândia, Acre

AUTOR(ES)
FONTE

IBICT - Instituto Brasileiro de Informação em Ciência e Tecnologia

DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

19/07/2011

RESUMO

Introduction: The nutritional picture of Brazilian infancy in recent decades is characterized by a downward trend in the prevalence of malnutrition and unchanged prevalence of anemia, especially iron deficiency anemia. However, regional inequalities persist, particularly in the North of the country. The early and inadequate introduction of foods has been considered the main factor responsible for nutritional deficiencies among children younger than two years of age. Objective: To characterize trends in breastfeeding practices and the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency and malnutrition, among children younger than 2 years of age, in an urban area of Acrelandia, Acre State. Methods: Temporal analysis of two cross-sectional population-based surveys conducted in 2003 (n = 170) and 2007 (n = 224). Information on socioeconomic status, morbidity, and breastfeeding were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Child weight and length were measured by the research team and children whose height for age indicator was below -2 z-scores were considered malnourished, according to World Health Organization standards (WHO). Blood hemoglobin (in children older than 6 months), as well as plasma ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor concentrations were evaluated to screen for anemia and iron deficiency, according to WHO criteria. Results: Comparison between the 2003 and 2007 surveys revealed no statistically significant differences in the prevalence (95 per cent confidence intervals) of breastfeeding: 46 per cent (39 per cent -54 per cent ) to 53 per cent (46 per cent - 59 per cent ), exclusive breastfeeding in infants younger than 6 months of age: 23 per cent (10 per cent - 41 per cent ) to 16 per cent (6 per cent -34 per cent ), malnutrition: 9 per cent (5 per cent - 14 per cent ) to 11 per cent (8 per cent - 16 per cent ), anemia:48 per cent (39 per cent - 56 per cent ) to 40 per cent (33 per cent - 47 per cent ) or iron deficiency anemia: 36 per cent (28 per cent - 45 per cent ) to 36 per cent (29 per cent - 44 per cent ), respectively. However, an increase in the prevalence of iron deficiency from 62 per cent (53 per cent - 70 per cent ) to 81 per cent (75 per cent - 86 per cent ) was observed (c² test, p 0.001). Conclusion: In the analyzed period, no improvements were observed in the prevalence of total and exclusive breastfeeding or in the occurrence of anemia, exposing an worrying scenario for public health, with a significant increase in the prevalence of iron deficiency in the studied infants and toddlers

ASSUNTO(S)

anemia desnutrição aleitamento materno acre anemia breastfeeding deficiência de ferro iron deficiency malnutrition acre

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