Anaemia, iron deficiency and susceptibility to infection in children in sub-Saharan Africa

Globally, anaemia, iron deficiency and infections are responsible for a large part of the morbidity and mortality occurring among children. As iron is essential for erythropoiesis and the human immune system as well as a crucial element for many pathogens, these three morbidities often interact. This review considers the question – have the studies conducted so far unraveled the potential complex interaction between these factors sufficiently enough to be able to develop universally applicable guidelines about iron treatment in children. It is imaginable, however, that the area is to complex and diverse, with many sub-populations, and that not universal, but tailor made guidelines are needed based on some agreed principles.