# Iron Deficiency Anaemia Screening and Management in Young Children: India and Southeast Asia Consensus

## TL;DR

Experts in India and Southeast Asia agree on screening and managing iron deficiency anemia in young children to improve health outcomes.

## Contribution

A consensus using the Delphi method provides new guidelines for IDA screening, management, and prevention in children.

## Key findings

- Children should be screened for anemia between 9 and 12 months and annually from 1 to 5 years.
- Noninvasive hemoglobin devices are recommended for screening.
- Nutritional interventions like food and milk fortification are emphasized to prevent IDA.

## Abstract

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) remains highly prevalent among children in India and many Southeast Asian countries. Experts in maternal and child health have developed a consensus on IDA in children. This consensus aims to improve awareness of IDA, provide recommendations on the screening and management of children at risk of IDA and offer insights into strategies to prevent IDA in children. The consensus was developed using the Delphi method, where eight primary expert members initially formulated questions on IDA screening and management based on a comprehensive literature review, followed by feedback and voting from 18 secondary expert members, achieving consensus with at least 70% agreement. Twelve statements achieved consensus to provide guidance and recommendations on several key areas: the recommended age for initial and annual anaemia screening, the use of noninvasive haemoglobin measurement devices for screening, further evaluations to rule out thalassaemia and IDA in children with anaemia and preventative measures to reduce the risk of IDA. The experts agreed that early detection of anaemia is crucial to mitigate related health consequences in children. It is recommended that all children undergo their first screening for anaemia between the ages 9 and 12 months, followed by annual screenings from the ages 1 to 5 years. In addition, the experts emphasised the importance of nutritional intervention, particularly the fortification of food and milk, to assist in reducing the risk of childhood IDA. By integrating relevant recommendations based on current clinical data and best practices, these consensus statements serve to guide screening, treatment and prevention of IDA among children.