Prevalencia de anemia en población infantil de Colombia en comparación con otros países de Latino América: Una revisión narrativa descriptiva

Introduction: Anemia is an insufficient concentration of red blood cell mass, resulting in an inadequate supply of oxygen to peripheral tissues. In infants, the main cause is iron deficiency, which can lead to impairments in mental, motor, and behavioral development. Objective: To compare the prevalence of childhood anemia in Colombia with data from other Latin American countries and its effects as a public health issue. Methodology: An narrative descriptive literature review was conducted on original articles and reviews published between 2013 and 2023 in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. Results: The prevalence in children up to five years old ranges from 6% to 68.3%. Anemia was classified as a moderate to severe public health issue in most countries, only in some cases representing a mild health problem. The associated causes were malnutrition, infectious diseases, and inadequate consumption of iron-rich foods. Conclusions: Anemia remains a public health issue in children under 5 years old, with most cases associated with malnutrition and inadequate nutrient intake.