A study of 234 children in Turkey found that many school-age kids aren’t getting enough important nutrients. About 1 in 10 children had anemia (low red blood cells), with girls being more affected than boys. Even more concerning, 4 out of 10 children had low vitamin B12 levels, especially teenage boys. These nutrients are crucial for growing bodies and developing brains. The researchers say parents and doctors should regularly check children’s iron and vitamin B12 levels to prevent health problems and support healthy growth during these important years.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How many school-age children have low levels of iron and vitamin B12, two nutrients essential for healthy growth and brain development
  • Who participated: 234 children aged 6-18 years old (115 boys, 119 girls) from a medical clinic in Istanbul, Turkey, with an average age of about 10 years
  • Key finding: About 9% of children had anemia, with girls twice as likely to be affected, and 41% had vitamin B12 deficiency, especially teenage boys
  • What it means for you: Parents should consider having their children’s iron and B12 levels checked regularly, especially during growth spurts and adolescence

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at children’s blood test results at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. They reviewed medical records from a family medicine clinic in Istanbul, examining blood tests that measured different aspects of iron and vitamin B12 status in children who were already patients at the clinic. The researchers looked at several blood markers including hemoglobin (which shows if someone has anemia), ferritin (which shows iron stores), and vitamin B12 levels.

This type of study design is useful for getting a snapshot of how common nutrient deficiencies are in a specific population. While it can’t prove what causes these deficiencies, it helps identify patterns and groups of children who might be at higher risk.

The study included a reasonable number of children and used standard blood tests that doctors commonly use. However, it only looked at children from one clinic in one city, so the results might not apply to all children everywhere.

What the Results Show

The study found that 9.4% of children had anemia, with girls being significantly more affected (13.4%) compared to boys (5.2%). Iron deficiency anemia, a specific type caused by not having enough iron, was found in 3.4% of children and didn’t vary much between boys and girls or different age groups. However, when researchers looked at ferritin levels (which show how much iron the body has stored), they found that 56.3% of children had levels below 12 ng/mL, suggesting many kids had low iron stores even if they weren’t anemic yet. Vitamin B12 deficiency was even more common, affecting 40.6% of all children. The average vitamin B12 level was 261.5 pg/mL, but boys had lower levels (217.3 pg/mL) compared to girls (275.2 pg/mL).

The researchers found that vitamin B12 deficiency was particularly common in older children (ages 12-18) and boys. Interestingly, vitamin B12 levels only showed a connection with hemoglobin levels and didn’t correlate with other blood markers, suggesting it works independently from iron in the body.

These findings align with global concerns about nutrient deficiencies in children, though the rates vary by region. The high rate of vitamin B12 deficiency (40.6%) is particularly noteworthy and suggests this might be an underrecognized problem in school-age children.

This study only looked at children from one medical clinic in Istanbul, so the results might not represent all children in Turkey or other countries. The researchers also only looked at blood test results from one point in time, so they couldn’t determine what caused these deficiencies or how they change over time.

The Bottom Line

Parents should consider having their children’s iron and vitamin B12 levels checked during routine medical visits, especially for girls (who may be at higher risk for anemia) and teenage boys (who may be at higher risk for B12 deficiency). Focus on foods rich in iron like lean meats, beans, and fortified cereals, and B12-rich foods like meat, fish, dairy, and fortified plant-based alternatives.

Parents of school-age children, especially those with picky eating habits, vegetarian diets, or signs of fatigue and poor concentration. Healthcare providers should also pay attention to these nutrients during routine checkups.

Blood levels can improve within weeks to months of dietary changes or supplementation, but it’s important to work with a healthcare provider to determine the best approach for each child.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of iron-rich foods (meat, beans, fortified cereals) and B12-rich foods (dairy, meat, fortified plant milks) for children
  • Add one iron-rich and one B12-rich food to each main meal, and consider pairing iron-rich foods with vitamin C sources like oranges or tomatoes to improve absorption
  • Log energy levels, concentration, and appetite patterns while tracking nutrient intake to identify potential connections and discuss with healthcare providers

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your child’s healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes or starting supplements, especially if you suspect nutrient deficiencies.