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Folate deficiency is associated with nutritional anaemia in Lebanese women of childbearing age

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

Lynn Al Khatib ,
Omar Obeid ,
Abla-Mehio Sibai ,
Malek Batal ,
Nada Adra  and
Nahla Hwalla
Lynn Al Khatib*
Affiliation:
Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107-2020, Lebanon
Omar Obeid
Affiliation:
Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107-2020, Lebanon
Abla-Mehio Sibai
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Malek Batal
Affiliation:
Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107-2020, Lebanon
Nada Adra
Affiliation:
Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107-2020, Lebanon
Nahla Hwalla*
Affiliation:
Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107-2020, Lebanon
*
*corresponding author: Email nahla@aub.edu.lb
*corresponding author: Email nahla@aub.edu.lb
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Abstract

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Objective

The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of anaemia in Lebanese women of childbearing age attending health centres in Lebanon.

Design

Cross-sectional study carried out between May and December 2003. Anthropometric measurements as well as sociodemographic, health and dietary intake data were collected using a questionnaire. Haemoglobin (Hb), plasma ferritin, plasma folate and vitamin B12 were assessed using standard laboratory methods.

Setting

Governmental health centres in Lebanon.

Subjects

Four hundred and seventy non-pregnant Lebanese women aged 15–45 years.

Results

Anaemia (Hb <12 g dl−1) and iron deficiency (ferritin <15 μg l−1) were prevalent in 16.0 and 27.2% of the study sample, respectively. Of the total sample, 7.7% had iron-deficiency anaemia. The percentage of women with either Hb or ferritin deficiency or both was 35.6%. Plasma folate and vitamin B12 deficiency was reported in 25.1 and 39.4%, respectively, and 12.6% of the women had both folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies. Of the anaemic group, 48.0% of the women had iron deficiency. The intake of iron was lower in iron-deficient than in non-deficient women and a positive relationship was shown between folate intake and its corresponding serum levels. Regression analysis showed that ferritin, plasma folate and family history of anaemia were significant determinants of the anaemia in the sample of women.

Conclusions

Anaemia not related to iron deficiency was partly explained by plasma folate deficiency. Measures to control folate and iron deficiency should be considered.

Keywords

AnaemiaIronFerritinFolateWomen of childbearing ageLebanon
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 9 , Issue 7 , October 2006 , pp. 921 - 927
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2006

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