Objectives. To determine prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with ferritin deficiency in a representative sample of children in Colombia. Materials and methods. Cross sectional secondary data analysis of the National Survey on the Nutritional Situation (ENSIN) conducted in 2010 in Colombia in 3542 children between 12 and 59 months. Plasma ferritin levels were determined by chemiluminescence and values <12 ug/L were considered as deficit ferritin. Sociodemographic factors (sex, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographical region) were collected using a structured questionnaire. All analyses were performed taking into account the complex nature of the sample. Results. It was found that the average value of ferritin was 32.1 g/L, (CI 95%: 30.7-35.6).10.6% (CI 95%: 9.3-12.0) of the children had ferritin levels less than 12.0 ug/L. The multivariate logistic regression shows that children aged 12 to 23 (OR 5.1, CI 95%: 3.3-8.0) and 24 to 35 months (OR 2.4, CI 95%: 1.5-3.7), belonging to the indigenous ethnic group (OR 1.8, CI 95%: 1.1-2.8), living in the Atlantic region (OR 2.0, CI 95%: 1.1 -3.6), or Pacific area (OR 2.0, CI 95%: 1.1-3.6) were associated with a higher probability of ferritin deficiencies. Conclusions. A significant prevalence of anemia caused by ferritin deficiency was found as well as various sociodemographic factors that contributed to the likelihood of increasing this problem. Comprehensive interventions are recommended in which nutritional and educational components are involved
Objetivos. Determinar la prevalencia y los factores sociodemográficos asociados a la deficiencia de ferritina en una muestra representativa de niños de Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Análisis secundario transversal de la Encuesta Nacional de la Situación Nutricional (ENSIN) realizada en Colombia el año 2010 en 3542 infantes entre 12 y 59 meses de edad. Los niveles plasmáticos de ferritina se determinaron por quimioluminiscencia y se consideraron como déficit de ferritina los valores < 12 µg/L, los factores sociodemográficos (sexo, edad, etnia, nivel socioeconómico, región y área geográfica) se recogieron mediante una encuesta estructurada. Todos los análisis se realizaron teniendo en cuenta la naturaleza compleja de la muestra. Resultados. Se encontró que el valor promedio de ferritina fue de 32,1 µg/L, (IC 95%: 30,7-35,6). El 10,6% (IC 95%: 9,3-12,0) de los niños presentaron niveles de ferritina menores a 12,0 µg/L. La regresión logística multivariable muestra que los niños de 12 a 23 (OR 5,1; IC 95%: 3,3-8,0) y 24 a 35 meses de edad (OR 2,4; IC 95%: 1,5-3,7), pertenecer al grupo étnico indígena (OR 1,8; IC 95%: 1,1-2,8), residir en la zona atlántico (OR 2,0; IC 95%: 1,1-3,6), o zona pacifica (OR 2,0; IC 95%: 1,1-3,6) se asociaron a una mayor probabilidad de presentar deficiencias de ferritina. Conclusiones. Se encontró una importante prevalencia de anemia por deficiencia de ferritina y diversos factores sociodemográficos contribuyeron con la probabilidad de incrementar este problema. Se recomienda intervenciones integrales donde estén involucrados los componentes nutricional y educativo