الفهرس 
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Abstract
Anemia is one of the most common and intractable nutritional problems in the world today. It has consequences on human health, social and economic development.
WHO estimates that the most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency anemia (IDA). It occurs when storage sites of iron are depleted and blood level of iron cannot meet daily needs, the incidence of anemia in Egypt (as a developing country) is much higher than developed countries.
The aim of the present study to assess incidence of anemia for infants at 12 month in the primary health care unit and evaluate effect of elemental iron supplementation to anemic infants.
This is a cross sectional interventional study. which was carried out from January 2015 to May 2016. It was conducted in the family health unit in Toukh district –Qulibia Governorate. It included 207 infants at 12 month age attending the family health unit for vaccination session during the period of data collection.
Data collection was carried out using a field pre-tested interviewing questionnaire including; age, sex, family size, socioeconomic standards, mother education, mother occupation, date of attending, birth history, dietary habits , consumption of iron rich food and medical history. Measures for weight and height were done and analyzed according to growth curves. Pre intervention hemoglobin assessment for all infants in the vaccination session (according to Egyptian practice guidelines for family physician 2007). Treatment of anemic infants (Hb% <11g/dl) by elemental iron(as ferric hydroxide polymaltose complex) at one dose of 3- 6mg/kg/day for two months according to the study . Follow up after 2 month for Hb% reassessment.
The results of this study showed that, 92 (44%) infant out of the total studied group (207 infants) were found to have anemia who are significantly improved after treatment with oral iron therapy, (mean±SD10.9±1.7) for Hb% level after oral iron therapy. The frequency of anemia was high among infants with low socioeconomic standards and less educated mothers.
In the present study there was statistically significant difference between the anemic and non-anemic groups as regards the body weight of the studied infants as non-anemic had weight more than anemic (10.4±0.8kg, 9.8±0.8kg respectively).
According to dietary habits , the prevalence of anemia among infants who consume tea, yogurt, preserved cracker and not consuming infant fortified cereal, and fruits (80%,53.1%,52.4%, 61.6%,63.3% &68.2% respectively) was significantly higher than that found among non anemic group .Mean age±SD for starting solid feeding was significantly higher (6.2±1.9) among anemic group. (P<0.001)
According to iron supplementation, the percentage of infants who previously received iron supplementation (93.3%) and whose mother received iron supplementation during pregnancy (65.1%) were significantly higher among non-anemic group.
In conclusion, frequency of anemia is high among infants aged 12 month in a rural area in Toukh district (44%) of children out of the total study group were found to have anemia (hemoglobin level less than normal ranges<11g/dl ) who are significantly improved after treatment with oral iron therapy. To face this problem, there should be a program carried out by Ministry of Health, targeting parents through various public media approaches. Programs should focus on the nutritional needs of these infants. Nutrition should be mandated as a required component of comprehensive health care putting clear guidelines (policies, protocols and standards) of the nutrition services that should be provided to children in PHC facilities in order to achieve, maintain and advance good quality health services. These guidelines should be written and regularly communicated to all health care providers.