Unlock Every Child's Potential, Iron Deficiency and Early Childhood

"Iron deficiency anemia is a problem of great magnitude affecting 48% of young children worldwide. In the past, the problem has been ignored because the focus of assistance to children around the world was to ensure their survival in the face of severe illness and disease."

According to the authors, preventing and treating iron deficiency and anemia are some of the most cost-effective health actions available. Early Child Development (ECD) programmes can integrate actions to defeat iron deficiency which directly benefit the children and the effectiveness of the ECD program itself. Many countries have started programmes to reduce iron deficiency (for example, fortification of staple foods) "but few have targeted young children, despite the fact that they are among the most at-risk for becoming anemic."

Below are several actions for how ECD programmes can incorporate iron deficiency:

• Basic actions achieve results
• Provide iron supplements to children
• Provide appropriate meals and/or snacks
• Provide information to parents and caregivers
• Support iron fortification
• Encourage public health treatment
• Defeating iron deficiency and anemia can help early childhood programs be more successful

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