130.81 Drinking water fortification with iron and vitamin C as a public health strategy to reduce anemia among children in day CARE centers of Belo Horizonte city, Brazil

Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sadrivaan A and B (The Hilton Istanbul Hotel )

Learning Objectives: In Brazil, Iron Deficiency Anemia is considered a serious Health Problem, specially in young children. Neurologic repercussions of this patology can affect the educational performance and contribute with social exclusion of children in daily Public Health and Educational Centers. In order to minimize anemia among these children, a pediatric and nutricionist team of Federal University of Minas Gerais created a new populational program using a drinking water fortified with iron and vitamin C to be distributed to 24 Children Care Centers for a period of 5 months. This program was articulated among Federal University, Municipal Authorities and local comunity. It was possible decrease Iron Deficiency Anemia and creat a new populational intervention with low cost and effective results.