Systematic Screening Needed To Tackle Childhood Iron Deficiency Anaemia

PUTRAJAYA, June 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia should move beyond awareness campaigns and introduce systematic early screening measures to tackle childhood iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), a condition affecting one in three children in the country, stakeholders said today.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Women, Children and Community Development Yeo Bee Yin said low awareness of IDA remains prevalent even among policymakers and healthcare stakeholders despite its potentially significant impact on children’s development.

She said findings from screenings conducted among children from low-income households in Puchong revealed that about half of the programme’s recipients were at risk of IDA, underscoring the need for routine screening nationwide.

“Making IDA screening mandatory, particularly through clinics and primary healthcare services, can change the landscape of childhood nutrition in Malaysia. Many parents may not be aware of the condition, but if screening becomes part of routine healthcare, more children can be identified and treated early,” she said.

The call was made during the “Arena Generasi Kuat Zat Besi” programme here today organised under Dumex Dugro’s Iron Strong Generation initiative, where policymakers, healthcare professionals and researchers highlighted the need for stronger intervention, including mandatory non-invasive IDA screening for children.

The Puchong Member of Parliament said undetected IDA could contribute to inequality among children, as poor nutrition during the critical early years may affect cognitive development, learning capacity and future opportunities.

She also reiterated the committee’s recommendation for greater support to improve access to milk and nutritional products for children, noting that adequate nutrition is essential to ensuring every child has an equal opportunity to reach their full potential.

Meanwhile, Danone Malaysia and Singapore marketing director Yek Pek Kuan said the company was compelled to take action after its Iron Strong Study in 2023 found that one in three Malaysian children is at risk of IDA, with 90 per cent showing no visible symptoms.

“The issue of IDA is not always what we can see, but what we might miss. Iron deficiency can have long-term consequences on a child’s brain development, ability to process information, focus and build foundational cognitive skills,” she said.

Yek added that the company had expanded community outreach efforts, collaborated with government agencies and non-governmental organisations, and increased access to non-invasive screening services as part of its efforts to bridge the gap between awareness and action.

She added that national men’s doubles badminton player Nur Izzuddin Rumsani had been appointed as Dumex Dugro’s brand ambassador to help encourage parents to take proactive steps in monitoring their children’s iron status.

Meanwhile, Consultant Family Medicine Specialist Dr Sri Wahyu Taher highlighted the importance of iron in brain development and neurological function, particularly during childhood.

She said iron is essential for the formation of neural connections and communication pathways within the brain, with deficiencies potentially affecting memory retention, concentration, reasoning ability and learning performance.

Dr Sri Wahyu added that iron is also important for physical growth, muscle development and overall health, making early detection and intervention crucial to ensuring children achieve their full developmental potential.

-- BERNAMA