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Iron deficiency in children with global developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder
Author(s) -
Sidrak Samuel,
Yoong Terence,
Woolfenden Susan
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/jpc.12483
Subject(s) - medicine , iron deficiency , pediatrics , autism spectrum disorder , global developmental delay , univariate analysis , iron deficiency anemia , multivariate analysis , autism , anemia , psychiatry , biochemistry , chemistry , gene , phenotype
Aim To investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for iron deficiency in children with global developmental delay and/or autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ). Method A retrospective review was conducted of the files of children referred to community paediatric clinics in S outh W est S ydney from M ay 2009 to J uly 2011 who were diagnosed with global developmental delay and/or ASD . Data were extracted on iron studies and potential risk factors. Data were analysed using P earson's ÷ 2 ‐test and F isher's exact test. Results Subjects included 122 children. The prevalence of iron depletion was 2.5% (95% CI 0.5–7.0%); that of iron deficiency was 6.6% (95% CI 2.9–12.5%), and that of iron deficiency anaemia was 4.1% (95% CI 1.3–9.3%). In children with global developmental delay without ASD , the prevalence of iron depletion was 1.8% (95% CI 0–9.7%), that of iron deficiency 5.5% (95% CI 1.1–15.1%) and that of iron deficiency anaemia 5.5% (95% CI 1.1–15.1%). In children with ASD with or without global developmental delay, the prevalence of iron depletion was 3.0% (95% CI 0.4–10.4%), that of iron deficiency 7.5% (95% CI 2.5–16.6%) and that of iron deficiency anaemia 3.0% (95% CI 0.4–10.4%). Univariate analysis demonstrated three significant potential risk factors for iron depletion, iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia: problems sucking, swallowing or chewing ( P = 0.002); poor eating behaviour ( P = 0.008); and inadequate amounts of meat, chicken, eggs or fish ( P = 0.002). Conclusion Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia were more common in this clinical sample of children with global developmental delay and/or ASD than in the general population.