By Ana Espino | Published on February 11, 2026 | 3 min readIron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common form of anemia in children, resulting from a lack of iron, a key element in erythropoiesis and neurological development. Among school-aged children (5–12 years), this deficiency is linked to reduced cognitive performance, weakened immunity, and poorer academic outcomes, with potentially long-
By Ana Espino | Published on February 11, 2026 | 3 min read
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common form of anemia
in children, resulting from a lack of iron, a key element in
erythropoiesis and neurological development. Among school-aged children
(5–12 years), this deficiency is linked to reduced cognitive performance,
weakened immunity, and poorer academic outcomes, with potentially
long-lasting effects on human capital.
Despite these consequences, IDA
management in this age group remains largely insufficient. Current
prevention and treatment strategies focus mainly on iron supplementation
and food fortification, but they prioritize children under five and
pregnant women. Moreover, the lack of reliable global epidemiological
data, variability in diagnostic criteria, and insufficient use of
inflammatory biomarkers limit both accurate identification of affected
children and the effectiveness of interventions.
In this context, a key step forward
is to accurately quantify the actual burden of IDA among school-aged
children, to support the development of screening and supplementation
strategies tailored to this overlooked population.
The aim of this study was therefore to provide a global,
updated estimate of IDA prevalence among children aged 5 to 12 years,
through a systematic review and meta-analysis, with the goal of informing public
health policies and guiding targeted nutritional interventions.
Where is iron lacking?
This review included 55
observational studies covering 2.1 million children. To be included,
studies had to report both anemia (low Hb) and iron deficiency (low
ferritin). Diagnostic definitions followed either WHO criteria
or alternative thresholds.
Results showed a global average
prevalence of IDA of 9.4% (95% CI: 6.5–12.7), which classifies it as a mild
public health problem according to WHO standards. However, this average
conceals wide regional disparities. Prevalence reached 21.9% in
sub-Saharan Africa and 15.8% in South Asia. Low-income countries
reported a prevalence of 29.7%, compared to 24.5% in lower-middle
income countries.
The study also highlighted a significant
methodological effect: studies using WHO diagnostic definitions reported
lower prevalence (7.3%) compared to those using alternative definitions
(12.4%). This underscores the need for harmonized diagnostic criteria,
ideally incorporating biomarkers such as CRP or AGP to distinguish
between nutritional and inflammation-related IDA.
Iron: an urgent school priority?
Iron deficiency anemia is a largely
neglected nutritional disorder in school-aged children, despite its
well-documented impact on development, attention, immunity, and learning.
The main challenge lies in the lack of reliable data, the absence of
systematic screening, and the invisibility of this age group in global
nutrition programs. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive global
picture of IDA prevalence in children aged 5–12, to guide future prevention
strategies.
The results show that, while global
prevalence is moderate, certain countries and regions far exceed critical
thresholds, justifying urgent and targeted interventions. IDA in school-aged children can no
longer be considered a benign issue.
The results show that, while global
prevalence is moderate, certain countries and regions far exceed critical
thresholds, justifying urgent and targeted interventions. IDA in school-aged children can no
longer be considered a benign issue.
However, limitations of this study
remain and justify further research. These include the need for longitudinal
studies in underrepresented regions, integration of standardized
inflammatory biomarkers, and the development of harmonized global
diagnostic criteria. It is also crucial to design school-based screening
programs, adapt supplementation strategies to local contexts, and reintegrate
school-aged children into global nutrition priorities, in order to break
the invisible cycle of iron deficiency.
About the author – Ana Espino PhD in Immunology, specialized in Virology As a scientific writer, Ana is passionate about bridging the gap between research and real-world impact. With expertise in immunology, virology, oncology, and clinical studies, she makes complex science clear and accessible. Her mission: to accelerate knowledge sharing and empower evidence-based decisions through impactful communication.
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Scientific reference
Sukwuttichai P, et al. Global prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among children aged 5-12 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health. 2026 Jan 23;16:04027
