RIYADH, 10 April — A study of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) among Saudi schoolchildren has revealed that IDA prevalence averages 34 percent, 36 percent and 29.2 percent respectively among them in Qasim, Turaba and Tamina in the Central, Western and Eastern provinces of the Kingdom.
The findings of the survey were announced at the launch of iron fortified milk by the National Agricultural Development Co. (NADEC), a Saudi joint stock company, by Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Othaimeen, nutritional scientist at the King Faisal Hospital and Research Center.
Abdul Aziz Al-Ribdi, general manager of NADEC, and officials from the ministry of health were also present.
Nutritional anemia is defined as a condition in which the hemoglobin count (the number of blood cells) is lower than normal as a result of deficiency of one or more essential nutrients. Iron deficiency has been shown to affect the learning capabilities and behavior while compromising immune responses in children.
Dr. Al-Othaimeen said ethnological factors of iron deficiency anemia range between diets low in iron and faulty feeding practices. IDA is, therefore, treated with iron supplementation using Ferrochel, which fortifies the iron content of milk.
Ferrochel was developed as a result of ongoing partnership between NADEC and Albion Laboratories, said to be a world leader in nutritional technology.
The study, also undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, covered 173 children in the 6-14 age group in Riyadh.
The subjects were socially deprived children residing in dormitories where three meals were served.
Speaking of their new product, Al-Ribdi explained that pregnant women need to double their normal amount of iron in order to supply their growing fetus.
The NADEC executive pointed out that their feasibility studies had established the need for such a product. Besides addressing the problem of iron deficiency in the population, it will also help reduce the cost of treatment of anemia.
Without adequate iron, he observed, a student’s academic performance could be impaired. Fatigue, lethargy and apathy could affect social development and job performance. Moreover, being rich in vitamin C, milk also helps the absorption of iron into the body, he added.
