Anemia in Asian children: trends in the prevalence, etiology and analysis of geographic inequalities

Sharif N 1 , Neyazi A 2 , Khatib MN 3 , Baldaniya L 4 , Ballal S 5 , Kavita V 6 Show all authors , Maharana L 7 , Arya R 8 , Bushi G 9 , Shabil M 10 , Syed R 11 , Gupta M 12 , Kumar S 13 , Ansar S 14 , Sah S 15 , Jena D 16 , Satapathy P 17

Affiliations 

  • 1 University Center for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India
  • 2 Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies, Herat, Afghanistan. neyazi.a@aces-af.org
  • 3 Division of Evidence Synthesis, Global Consortium of Public Health and Research, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education, Wardha, India. nazlikhatib@dmiher.edu.in
  • 4 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marwadi University Research Center, Marwadi University, Rajkot, Gujarat, 360003, India
  • 5 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to Be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • 6 Department of Chemistry, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • 7 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to Be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751030, India
  • 8 Department of Pharmacy, Chandigarh Pharmacy College, Chandigarh Group of Colleges-Jhanjeri, Mohali, Punjab, 140307, India
  • 9 Chitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, 174103, India
  • 10 Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, India
  • 11 IES Institute of Pharmacy, IES University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462044, India
  • 12 New Delhi Institute of Management, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi, India
  • 13 Department of Microbiology, Graphic Era (Deemed to Be University), Clement Town, Dehradun-248002, India
  • 14 Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 10219, 11433, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • 15 Department of Paediatrics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed-to-Be-University), Pimpri, 411018, Maharashtra, India
  • 16 Centre Centre for Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, 140401, Punjab, India
  • 17 Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India. prakasini.satapathy@gmail.com
World J Pediatr, 2025 Apr;21(4):396-405.
PMID: 40257723 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-025-00897-4

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pediatric anemia is a pervasive public health issue in Asia, significantly impairing children's growth, cognitive development, and future potential. This study evaluates trends, prevalence, and socio-economic disparities of pediatric anemia across Asia from 1990 to 2021, leveraging data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021 study.

METHODS: Using estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and Pearson's correlation coefficient, geographic variations and temporal trends were analysed alongside associations between prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), and Socio-demographic index (SDI).

RESULTS: The study reveals a modest overall decline in anemia prevalence by 11.9%, from 464.53 million cases in 1990 to 409.07 million in 2021. High-SDI regions such as East Asia achieved significant reductions (- 71.36%), with countries like Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Seychelles, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) showing substantial progress. In stark contrast, low-SDI countries, including Yemen (108.34%) and Afghanistan (130.28%), along with Cambodia, India, and Pakistan, experienced alarming increases. Dietary iron deficiency was the dominant cause, followed by hemoglobinopathies and neglected tropical diseases. Females, particularly adolescents, and children under five faced disproportionate burdens, with prevalence rates in low-SDI regions exceeding 47,000 per 100,000 compared to 

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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