{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,7]],"date-time":"2026-08-07T17:24:45Z","timestamp":1786123485831,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":47,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,7]],"date-time":"2026-08-07T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1786060800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Nutr."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most prevalent and consequential nutritional disorders affecting infants and young children globally, with profound implications for neuro development and long-term health. Despite its well-documented risks, IDA remains under diagnosed and under treated, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where prevalence ranges from 23.2% in the UAE to 72% in Jordan. To address gaps in screening, diagnosis, and management, a multidisciplinary panel of 14 pediatric experts from nine MENA countries convened to develop evidence-based consensus recommendations.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The methodology included a structured literature review, virtual consensus meetings, and iterative Delphi-style voting on 32 evidence-based statements across five domains: (1) prevalence and burden, (2) screening and diagnosis, (3) nutritional prevention, (4) treatment, and (5) public health strategies.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Key recommendations included universal screening at 9\u201312 months using hemoglobin, CRP, and ferritin; first-line oral iron therapy (3\u20136 mg\/kg\/day of elemental iron for 3\u20136 months); and avoidance of cow\u2019s milk before 12 months. The panel also developed a comprehensive algorithm to standardize diagnosis and management across the region. Major barriers identified were underutilized screening practices (85.71% agreement) and insufficient public awareness (92.86% emphasized tailored campaigns). Excessive and early cow\u2019s milk consumption was considered a key dietary contributor to IDA, with 84.6% agreement on its role due to low iron content and 69.2% agreement on its inhibitory effects on iron absorption and risk of gastrointestinal blood loss.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Discussion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This consensus highlights critical interventions, including iron-rich complementary feeding, caregiver education, and referral for refractory cases. By aligning clinical practice with current evidence and regional realities, these consensus recommendations provide a structured framework to reduce the burden of IDA in MENA through early detection, standardized care, and collaborative public health strategies.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2026.1835042","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,7]],"date-time":"2026-08-07T15:01:26Z","timestamp":1786114886000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["MENA Delphi consensus on iron deficiency anemia in infants and young children: screening, management, and prevention strategies"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Yasmin El","family":"Gendy","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University","place":["Cairo, Egypt"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Eslam","family":"El Baroudy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Medicine, Suez University","place":["Suez, Egypt"]},{"name":"Department of Health\/UAE, \"KHMC\" Affiliated New York-Presbyterian Children Hospital-Columbia University","place":["Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Adlette","family":"Inati","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, and NINI Hospital, University of Balamand","place":["Tripoli, Lebanon"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ahmad","family":"Al Hammadi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Sidra Medicine","place":["Doha, Qatar"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ali","family":"Almehaidib","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre","place":["Riyadh, Saudi 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Kuwait"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Furat","family":"Khreshan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Pediatrics and Early Intervention Center","place":["Amman, Jordan"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nadine","family":"Yazbeck","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center","place":["Beirut, Lebanon"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Peter","family":"Noun","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pediatrics, Hematology Oncology Unit, Saint George Hospital University Medical Center, Saint George University","place":["Beirut, Lebanon"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yasser","family":"Wali","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University, College of Medicine and Health 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