Os indicadores brasileiros de anemia ferropriva são alarmantes. Para colaborar com a redução deste quadro, o governo brasileiro adotou a fortificação das farinhas de trigo com ferro. Nesta pesquisa, profissionais dos moinhos de trigo brasileiros foram questionados, sobre suas percepções da Resolução ANVISA nº 344/02, que obrigou a fortificação das farinhas. As respostas dos entrevistados permitiram construir Discursos do Sujeito Coletivo (DSC) e interpretar alguns de seus aspectos com o objetivo de avaliar a aceitação e a adoção das determinações da legislação. Os DSC são redações organizadas, pelo pesquisador, das informações qualitativas obtidas nas entrevistas, contendo as principais idéias e expressões verbais que revelam as percepções dos entrevistados. Os resultados obtidos permitem afirmar que esses concordam com a legislação, porém questionam sua forma de apresentação, autoritária e pouco participativa da categoria que, a princípio, deixou o setor arredio e exigente de uma contrapartida pelo governo de um programa de educação ao consumidor e também desconfiado se a estratégia atingirá a população pobre, devido ao preço dos derivados do trigo. A coletividade afirma que cumpre a legislação apesar das deficiências tecnológicas do setor, que têm sido contornadas com a escolha de qualificados fornecedores de micronutrientes com serviços analíticos agregados. A sobredosagem de micronutrientes tem sido praticada para contornar problemas tecnológicos e a falta de um controle laboratorial adequado. O composto de ferro mais empregado para fortificar farinhas de uso doméstico é o ferro reduzido e, para as de uso industrial, o composto de ferro varia conforme as necessidades dos clientes. Na percepção da coletividade dos moinhos de trigo, a problemática da fortificação obrigatória das farinhas é menos tecnológica e mais política e administrativa. A fortificação obrigatória foi uma grande conquista que pode ser melhorada com a fiscalização dos processos industriais e dos produtos. Deveria ser tratada como um programa, que educasse a população por mídia de massa e incluísse gestores capazes de mediar as ações, que envolvem setores com interesses distintos, como o governo, a indústria e a sociedade. / Anemia caused by iron deficiency is very prevalent in Brazil. To decrease it, the Brazilian government established that wheat flour must be fortified with iron and folic acid. This work presents the perceptions of the wheat flour milling professionals on the Brazilian law - Resolução ANVISA nº 344/2002, which has obligated the flour fortification. The answers of the interviewed professionals were used to writing the Collective Discourses of the Subjects. Some aspects of them were interpreted with the objective of evaluating the acceptance of the law by the milling community. Collective Discourses of the Subjects are wordings organized and written by the researcher using the information obtained with the interviewers, and contains the main ideas and verbal expressions which reveal the interviewers perceptions. The results allow to concluding the wheat mills community agree with the law, however it argues with its authoritarian way of dealing, without the participation of the milling fellows, who became strayed and distrust, and asking the government for an advertising campaign of consumer´s education. The milling fellows distrust if the poor population will be reached by the measure, because of the prices of the products derived from wheat. The collective subject says he is fulfilling the law, besides the technological deficiencies of the milling companies, which have been solved with good suppliers of micronutrients who includes lab services. Over dosage of micronutrients has been used to avoiding technological issues, and the lack of rapid lab analysis results. Between the interviewers, reduced iron is the most used iron compound to fortify wheat flour for domestic usage, and the source of iron for the flour for industrial purposes varies depending on the customer. The perception of the milling professionals reveals the fortification issues are more administrative and political, than technological. The fortification should be improved with the govern enforcement and should be seen like a program, which would include educational advertising to the population and should be managed by professionals able to mediate government, industry and society interests.

Soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.) are a symbiont of two beneficial associations: biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Within the Northern Great Plains of the USA, iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) of soybean is a yield-limiting factor. The effects of IDC on BNF and AMF are not well defined. This study was conducted to determine the effects of IDC on BNF and AMF. A laboratory study was performed to compare three methods of measuring ureide-N, a product of BNF in soybeans. Field studies in soybean were performed at three locations at eastern N011h Dakota. The experimental design was a factorial combination of three cultivars and three treatments. The three cultivars, in order of decreasing chlorosis susceptibility, were NuTech NT-0886, Roughrider Genetics RG 607, and Syngenta S01-C9 RR. The three treatments were control, Sorghum bicolor L. companion crop planted with the soybean seed, and FeEDDHA applied with the soybean seed. Chlorosis severity was the greatest and least for the NuTech and Syngenta cultivars, respectively. The FeEDDHA treatment decreased chlorosis severity. Ureide levels were abnormally high in plants severely stunted by JDC. The excess accumulation of ureides in IDC-stunted plants suggests that plant growth was reduced more than the rate of nitrogen fixation. The AMF population \vas at an adequate level at all locations and not affected by cultivar or treatment, in general. In the laboratory study, the Patterson et al. method had greater ureide concentrations due to the non-specific measuring of ammonium compounds compared to the Vogels and Van der Drift and Goos methods. / North Dakota Soybean Council

The purpose of the study was to determine what nutritional, demographic, and behavioral differences existed between children one year of age from two similar WIC clinics with different prevalences of anemia. Children from the higher-prevalence site were found to consume significantly (p < .05) more B12, C, copper, fiber, folate, total kilocalories, and riboflavin than did children from the lower-prevalence site. Family income and maternal weight gain were significantly (p < .05) higher in the lower-prevalence group as compared to the higher-prevalence group. In addition, children from the higher-prevalence site were enrolled in the WIC program at a significantly (p < .05) younger age than were children from the lower-prevalence site.

Iron is an essential element for human organism, because it cooperates as a cofactor of enzymes in many metabolic pathways. Iron is a component of hemoglobin, and thus it is indispensable for the oxygen transport to tissues. It can exist as a ferrous or ferric form. However, ferrous iron paticipates in reactions in which highly reactive hydroxyl group can be formed. This product is harmful for the organism. Non-heme iron is taken up to the circulation through duodenal enterocyte. Iron excretion is carried out only by desquamation of the enterocytes or by bleeding. Therefore, iron intake must be strictly regulated. Iron overloading is observed in some chronic diseases (hereditary hemochromatosis, alcohol liver disease). In contrary, iron depletion can be a case of iron deficiency anemia. The aim of this master thesis is to determine the expression of iron transport molecules in duodenum in chronic diseases which originate due to disturbances of iron intake regulation. We determine the expression of molecules of iron transport (DMT1, Dcytb, ferroportin, hephaestin) on mRNA level by qPCR and on protein level by western blot. The level of serum hepcidin was determined by ELISA. Our results show an increased expression of mRNA of transporters DMT1 and ferroportin as well as ferrireductase Dcytb and ferroxidase...

La anemia representa en la salud pública, un grave problema a nivel mundial. El fin de este estudio fue determinar la relación entre la participación materna y la efectividad del tratamiento de la anemia ferropénica en niños de 6 a 36 meses en un centro de salud. Se realizó un estudio de tipo cuantitativo, descriptivo, de diseño correlacional y de corte transversal. Constituida por 95 participantes del C.S Paul Harris que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Para la recolección de datos se realizaron encuestas que evaluaron factores sociodemográficos, características del niño, factores relacionados al cuidado materno y dosaje de hemoglobina de acuerdo al protocolo. El análisis de las variables cualitativas determinó las frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Para la medición de la asociación entre las variables se aplicó la prueba de T-Student. Dentro de los resultados del nivel de participación: 65% tuvo participación regular, 28% baja y 6% buena. Gran parte de las madres se encontraban entre las edades de 26 a 30 años con nivel educativo secundario, la mayoría de los niños participantes tenían edades entre 6 a 12 meses, de proporciones similares tanto el sexo femenino como masculino; entre otras características. Se concluye que existe relación significativa entre la participación materna y la efectividad del tratamiento. / Anemia represents public health, a serious global problem. This study had to objectives determine the relationship between maternal participation and the effectiveness of the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children age 6 to 36 months in Paul Harris Health Center. A quantitative, descriptive, correlational, and cross-section study was carried out. It consisted of 95 participants from the C.S Paul Harris (Paul Harris Health center) who met the inclusion criteria. For data collection surveys were conducted that evaluated sociodemographic factors, characteristics of the child, factors related to maternal care, and hemoglobin dosage according to the protocol. The analysis of qualitative variables determined absolute and relative frequencies. The T-Student test was used to measure the association between the variables. Inside the results of the level of participation: 65% had regular participation, 28% had low participation and 6% had good participation. The most of the ages of the mothers were between 26 and 30 years old with high school, and most of the participating children were between 6 and 12 months of age, with similar proportions in females and males, among other characteristics. It is concluded that there is a significant relationship between maternal participation and treatment effectiveness.

Thesis (M. Tech. (Biomedical Technology)) -- Central University of technology, Free State, [2013] / Introduction: Geophagia, a subcategory of pica, is the practice of persistently and deliberately eating earthy or soil like substances. A definite cause for the practice of geophagia is yet to be established, but some theories claim that the soil holds nutritional value to the geophagist. Method: Geophagic woman in the QwaQwa area between the ages of 18 and 45 years were identified by means of a questionnaire. A test group, consisting of 48 women in the habit of consuming soil, and a control group, consisting of 35 non geophagous women, were identified. Subjects in the control group were chosen from the same household or in the same area as the test subjects. On each subject, of both the test group and the control group, the following tests were done: total serum iron, transferrin, ferritin, calcium, magnesium, phosphate and albumin. The results obtained were statistically analysed and compared. Biochemical results were compared with haematology results obtained by another researcher, using the same test group and control group subjects. Results: In the test group, 75% of the individuals had results indicative of iron deficiency, compared to only 26% in the control group. The haematology results also indicate anaemia in the test group, most probably brought on by iron deficiency. There was no significant difference in mineral results between the test- and control group. Thus no association could be established between soil consumption and mineral status. Conclusion: In relation to non-geophagous women, people who consume soil have a tendency toward iron deficiency. It is impossible to ascertain whether the iron deficiency caused the craving for soil, or whether the consumption of soil caused the iron deficiency. No definite association could be made between soil consumption and mineral status.

Thesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background Occult blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), causing iron deficiency often with anaemia, can be diagnostically and therapeutically challenging. This is because the endoscopic and radiologic tests may be negative due to the slow, chronic and intermittent nature of the gastrointestinal bleeding, making timing key in detection and localisation of the bleed. These limitations can be approached using two different radioactive isotopes. Firstly, we tested the sensitivity of extending Cr-51 RBC for 21 days relative to 5 days to detect GIT bleeding and its use to optimise timing of a Tc-99m RBC study for GIT blood loss localisation. Finally, we tested if the information provided by the Tc-99m RBC study aided gastroenterologic intervention for anatomical localisation of a lesion. Method In this retrospective review, after obtaining institutional and ethics committee approval, records of patients referred for evaluation of possible GIT blood loss were reviewed. In each; daily appearance of radiochromium in stool was measured in the whole body counter. In those cases exceeding 50 ml/day, a technetium-99m (Tc-99m) localization study was performed. These studies were correlated with clinical findings. Results A total of 59 Cr-51 RBC studies were carried out in 36 females and 21 males (n = 57). In 32 (54%) the radiochromium results were positive with 75% of the bleeding incidences occurring after 5 days of stool collection. Of 17 cases in whom Tc-99m RBC imaging studies were performed, 14 (82%) were positive with specific anatomical sites successfully defined in twelve. In all patients with blood loss of >100 ml/24h, Tc-99m RBC were positive and localised. Ten of the 17 Tc-99m RBC studies were further investigated and half diagnosed with small-bowel angiodysplasia. Conclusion This sequential twin isotope method is practical in revealing otherwise silent intestinal haemorrhage. Although it has good patient acceptability and clinical as well as diagnostic utility in management, further studies are required to clearly establish a cut-off level of blood loss for performing imaging studies and the impact of the findings on the overall patient management. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond Die evaluasie van okkulte bloedverlies uit die gastro-intestinale kanaal (GIT), met gevolglike ystertekort anemie, kan diagnosties en terapeuties uitdagend wees. Dit is omdat endoskopiese en radiologiese ondersoeke negatief mag wees as gevolg van die stadige, chroniese en intermitterende aard van die gastro-intestinale bloeding, wat die presiese tydstip van opsporing en lokalisering van die bloeding krities belangrik maak. Hierdie beperkings kan aangespreek word deur twee verskillende radioaktiewe isotope te gebruik. Eerstens is die sensitiwiteit van die verlenging van die Cr-51 RBS studie tot 21 dae in plaas van 5 dae om die GIT bloeding op te spoor, getoets, asook die gebruik daarvan om die optimale tyd vir ‘n Tc-99m RBS studie om die GIT bloedverlies te lokaliseer, vas te stel. Laastens is getoets of die inligting van die Tc-99m RBS studie wel bygedra het tot die gastroenterologiese ingreep om die letsel anatomies te lokaliseer. Metode Na institusionele en etiese komitee toestemming is inligting van pasiënte wat vir die evaluering van ‘n moontlike GI bloedverlies verwys is, in hierdie retrospektiewe oorsig nagegaan. Die daaglikse voorkoms van radioaktiewe chroom in stoelgangmonsters is in ‘n heelliggaamteller gemeet. In gevalle waar dit 50 ml/dag oorskry het, is ‘n tegnesium 99m (Tc 99m) studie gedoen. Hierdie studies is met die kliniese bevindinge gekorreleer. Resultate ‘n Totaal van 59 Cr-51 RBS studies is in 36 vroue en 21 mans (n = 57) gedoen. Die gemerkte chroomstudies was positief in 32 (54%), met 75% van die bloedings wat meer as 5 dae na versameling van die stoelgang plaasgevind het. In veertien (82%) van die 17 gevalle waar Tc-99m RBS studies gedoen is, was die studies positief. Spesifieke anatomiese gebiede van bloeding kon in 12 hiervan suksesvol bevestig word. Tc-99m RBS studies was positief in al die pasiënte met ‘n bloedverlies van >100 ml/24h, en kon gelokaliseer word. Tien van die 17 Tc-99m RBS studies is verder ondersoek en die helfte daarvan gediagnoseer met dunderm angiodisplasie. Gevolgtrekking Die opeenvolgende twee isotoopmetode om andersins asimptomatiese dermbloeding op te spoor, is prakties uitvoerbaar. Alhoewel die studies goed deur pasiënte aanvaar is, en ook van kliniese en diagnostiese waarde in die hantering van die pasiënte is, is verdere studies nodig om die afsnypunt vir die hoeveelheid bloedverlies om beeldingstudies uit te voer, sonder twyfel vas te stel, asook om die impak van die bevindings op ‘n groter pasiëntpopulasie vas te stel.

<p>Anemija predstavlja problem svetskih razmera sa značajnim zdravstvenim, socijalnim i ekonomskim konsekvencama. Iako je pre mnogo godina prepoznata kao javnozdravstveni problem, malo je učinjeno u uspostavljanju kontrole anemije i prevalenca je ostala neprihvatljivo visoka. Deficit gvožđa predstavlja najče&scaron;ći uzrok anemije, deca uzrasta od 6-24 meseca i adolescenti predstavljaju vulnerabilne grupe. Hepcidin je peptidni hormon niske molekularne težine koji ima ključnu ulogu u metabolizmu gvožđa. Cilj istraživanja je bio da se odredi serumska koncentracija hepcidina kod dece uzrasta od 6 meseci do 2 godine i adolescenata uzrasta od 11 do 19 godina koji boluju od sideropenijske anemije i uporedi sa serumskim koncentracijama hepcidina u kontrolnim grupama, kao i da se utvrdi njegova povezanost sa parametrima metabolizma gvožđa. Ispitivanjem je obuhvaćeno ukupno 173 ispitanika, 89 ispitanika koji su bolovali od sideropenijske anemije i 84 ispitanika koji nisu bolovali od sideropenijske anemije i koji su predstavljali kontrolnu grupu. Svim ispitanicima je venepunkcijom uzorkovana krv za određivanje kompletne krvne slike i prametara metabolizma gvožđa. ELISA metodom je određen nivo hepcidina u serumu. Ispitivanjem je utvrđeno da je koncentracija hepcidina statistički značajno niža u dece i adolescenata koji boluju od sideropenijske anemije u poređenju sa decom i adolescentima koji ne boluju od sideropenijske anemije. Potvrđena je pozitivna korelacija između koncentarcije serumskog hepcidina i gvožđa u serumu, feritina, srednjeg volumena eritrocita i saturacije transferina, a negativna korelacija između koncentracije serumskog hepcidina i transferina i broja retikulocita. Koncentracija transferina i nezasićeni kapacitet vezivanja gvožđa, ukupni kapacitet za vezivanje gvožđa i broj retikulocita su međusobno u pozitivnoj korelaciji, a korelacija koncentracije transferina sa parametrima saturacija transferina, koncentracije gvožđa i hemoglobina je negativna. Na vrednost serumskog hepcidina ne utiču niti pol niti uzrast ispitanika &scaron;to ga čini senzitivnijim pokazateljem stanja gvožđa u organizmu i pouzdanijim biolo&scaron;kim markerom u dijagnostici sideropenijske anemije.</p> / <p>Anemia represents a worldwide problem which leads to substantial health, social and economic issues. Although it was identified as a common health problem many years ago, not a lot has been done in controlling anemia and its prevalence has stayed unacceptably high. The iron deficit is the most frequent cause of anemia, 6-24 month-old children and adolescents are vulnerable groups. Hepcidin is a peptide hormone of a low molecular weight which has a main role in the iron metabolism. The aim of the research was to determine the serum concentration of hepcidin in children aged from 6 months to 2 years and in adolescents from the age of 11 to 19 which suffer from iron deficiency anemia and compare it with the serum concentration of hepcidin in the control groups, as well as to determine its connection with the parameters of the iron metabolism. The research included 173 examinees, 89 of them suffered from iron deficiency anemia and 84 did not suffer from iron deficiency anemia. The latter represented the control group. All the examinees had their blood sampled intravenously in order for full blood count results and parameters of iron metabolism to be determined. Also, ELISA method was used for establishing the level of hepcidin in the serum. The research showed that the concentration of hepticin is statistically lower in children and adolescents who suffer from iron deficiency anemia in comparison with children and adolescents who do not have this condition. The positive correlation between the level of serum hepcidin and iron in the serum, ferritin, the medium volume of erythrocytes and transferrin saturation was confirmed but the negative one occurred in the level of the serum hepcidin, transferrin and reticulocyte. Transferrin and the unsaturated capacity of iron binding, the total capacity of iron binding and reticulocytes are in a positive correlation but the correlation of transferrin with the parameters of transferrin saturation, iron and hemoglobin is negative. The sex and the age of the examinees do not influence the level of serum hepcidin which makes it a more sensitive indicator of the level of iron in the body. Besides this, serum hepcidin is a reliable biological marker in the iron deficiency anemia diagnosis.</p>

Le retard de croissance intra-utérin par altérations vasculaires placentaires affecte 4% des grossesses actuelles. Ses mécanismes d’installation encore inconnus ont un impact pédiatrique important responsable d’une mortalité non négligeable. La combinaison d’un retard de croissance intra-utérin et de modifications vasculaires placentaires sur un modèle animal est nécessaire pour comprendre ces mécanismes et envisager une étude thérapeutique ultérieure. Le but de ce projet est de mettre au point dans un premier temps un modèle animal qui associe au retard de croissance intra-utérin les modifications vasculaires placentaires retrouvées dans la physiopathologie humaine. Pour cela, deux modèles animaux murins ont été étudiés : l'hyperthermie en fin de gestation et l’anémie par carence martiale pré et péri-gestationnelle. Une étude qualitative et quantitative par échographie (échographie Doppler et échographie de contraste) associée à une étude anatomopathologique. immuno-histochimiques et spectroscopique des placentas a été réalisée. L’optimisation du modèle animal définitif a requis dans un premier temps la mise au point de repères anatomiques inexistants à l'heure actuelle permettant la reproductivité des mesures échographiques ainsi que la mise en évidence de l’innocuité du produit de contraste échographique utilisé. Une étude placentaire globale nous a permis d’enregistrer des modifications structurelles liées au modèle analysé. L’étude de ces deux modèles animaux nous a permis d’établir un protocole de mesure standardisé et de mettre en évidence l’absence d’effet de l’utilisation du produit de contraste échographique sur la gestation. L’hyperthermie tout comme la carence martiale sont responsables d'un retard de croissance intra-utérin avec un effet dose dépendant. Les modifications vasculaires placentaires retrouvées dans le modèle hyperthermie à type d'ischémie-hémorragique n’apparaissent pas consécutives à des modifications vasculaires installées mais séquellaires de cet incident aigu. Les modifications hémodynamiques enregistrées dans le cadre de la carence martiale sont plutôt en faveur de modifications vasculaires en accord avec la pathologie humaine. L’étude spectroscopique ne met pas en évidence de changement métabolomique particulier. Ces deux modèles permettent donc l’installation d’un retard de croissance intra-utérin corrélé positivement à l’intensité du protocole. Le modèle anémie tend à se rapprocher au mieux de la pathologie humaine ; son étude reste à approfondir sur des effectifs plus conséquents. / The intra-uterin growth restriction by placental vascular modifications affects 4% of the current pregnancies. lt’s still unknown installation mechanism has an important pediatric impact with a significant mortality. The association of intra-uterin growth restriction and placental vascular defects on an animal model is necessary to understand this mechanism and envisage a therapeutic study later. The aim of Ibis project is to establish at first an animal model which associates intra-uterin growth restriction and vascular placental modifications found in the human physiopathology For that purpose, two murine models were studied : hyperthermia at the end of the gestation and anaemia by iron deficiency before and during the gestation. A qualitative and quantitative study by ultrasonography (Doppler ultrasonography and contrast ultrasonography) associated with anatomopathological, immune-histochemical and spectroscopic studies of the placentas was realized. The optimization of the definitive animal model required at first anatomical marks development, allowing reproduction of the ultrasonographic measures as well as revelation of the ultrasound contrast product harmlessness. A global placental study allowed us to note structural modifications connected to the analyzed model. The study of these two animals models allowed us to establish a standard measuring protocol and show that ultrasonographic contrast product use had no effect on the gestation. The hyperthermia, as the iron deficiency, is responsible of an intra-uterin growth restriction with a positive effect dose related. The vascular placental modifications found in the hyperthermia model as hemorrhage and ischaemia areas do not appear as the result of vascular modifications but after-effects of this acute incident. The hemodynamical modifications registered within the framework of the iron deficiency are rather in favour of vascular modifications in agreement with the human pathology. The spectroscopic study does not show metabolomic modifications. These two models allow the installation of an intra-uterin growth restriction positively correlated with the protocol intensity. The anaemia model gets closer to the human pathology; its study remains b he continued with more consequent numbers.

Objetivo: Investigar o estado nutricional, consumo alimentar e práticas de alimentação complementar em crianças de 6 a 24 meses residentes em Acrelândia, Estado do Acre, Amazônia Ocidental Brasileira. Métodos: Estudo transversal de base populacional realizado na área urbana do município de Acrelândia. Informações sobre condições sociodemográficas, morbidades e aleitamento materno foram obtidas por questionário estruturado. A partir de dados de histórico alimentar, consumo e práticas alimentares foram analisados. Peso e comprimento foram medidos para avaliação antropométrica segundo distribuição da curva padrão da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) 2007. Amostras de fezes foram obtidas para exame parasitológico. Avaliação das concentrações de hemoglobina, ferritina, receptor solúvel de transferrina, vitamina B12, retinol e ácido fólico séricos foi realizada em amostras de sangue venoso coletadas em jejum. Resultados: Do total de 166 crianças estudadas, as prevalências de déficit de estatura/idade e de anemia foram de 12% e 40%, respectivamente. Dentre as crianças anêmicas, 95% apresentaram anemia ferropriva. A prevalência geral de deficiência de ferro isolada foi 44%. A presença de parasitas intestinais foi identificada em 26% das amostras de fezes, sendo que 80% das infecções foram causadas por Giardia lamblia. Os níveis séricos das vitaminas A e B12 estavam abaixo da faixa de normalidade em 15% e 12% das crianças, respectivamente. O aleitamento materno foi iniciado por quase a totalidade das mães (99%); no entanto, a prática do aleitamento materno exclusivo até o sexto mês foi referida por 10% dos participantes. A oferta de leite de vaca foi alta desde os primeiros meses de vida, sendo que dos 6 aos 8 meses de idade 70% das crianças estudadas já ingeriam este alimento. A frequência de consumo de mingau aumentou com a idade: 37% das crianças entre 6 e 8 meses, 48% entre 9 e 11 meses e 64% entre 12 e 24 meses referiram seu consumo habitual. Consumo alimentar abaixo das recomendações da OMS (2004) foi observado para os seguintes nutrientes (% de crianças): ácido fólico (33%), vitamina C (40%), vitamina A (42%), zinco (46%) e ferro (71%). A biodisponibilidade de ferro da dieta ficou em torno de 8%, classificando 78% das crianças com dietas entre \"muito baixa\" e \"baixa\" biodisponibilidade. Os alimentos que mais contribuíram com a energia total ingerida foram os leites de vaca e leite materno, e com o aporte de ferro foram os espessantes utilizados para fazer mingau. Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem intervenções para a promoção do aleitamento materno exclusivo até o sexto mês, com introdução de alimentos e práticas de alimentação complementar adequadas. É essencial melhorar a biodisponibilidade do ferro da dieta através do maior consumo de ferro total (carnes, feijão e caldos de carnes/feijão) e de vitamina C (incentivo ao consumo de frutas e hortaliças) desde o início da alimentação complementar, evitando-se consumo de alimentos ricos em compostos inibidores da absorção do ferro, tais como café, chá, espessantes e leite de vaca. Com o aumento da idade da criança, o consumo de mingau deve ser gradualmente substituído, incentivando-se consumo de alimentos disponíveis para a família. / Objective: To investigate the nutritional status, food consumption and complementary feeding practices in children aged between 6 and 24 months living in Acrelândia, Acre State, Westhern Brazilian Amazon. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted within an urban area of Acrelândia. Information on sociodemographic conditions, morbidity and breast feeding were collected using structured questionnaires. Food consumption and practices were analyzed based on food history data. Anthropometric assessment entailed weight and height measurements according to the 2007 World Health Organization (WHO) standard distribution curve. Stool samples were obtained and subjected to parasitological examination. Assessment of hemoglobin, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, Vitamin B12 and retinol serum levels was performed on fasting venous blood samples. Results: Of the total 166 children studied, the prevalence of stunted height/age and anemia was 12% and 40%, respectively. Out of the anemic children, 95% presented with iron-deficient anemia. The overall prevalence of iron deficiency was 44%. Intestinal parasites were detected in 26% of the stool samples, where 80% of these infections were caused by Giardia lamblia. Vitamin A and B12 serum levels were below normal thresh holds in 15% and 12% of children, respectively. Breast feeding was started by the vast majority of mothers (99%) although exclusive breast feeding up to the sixth month was reported by only 10% of participants. The intake of cows milk was high from the first months of life, where 70% of the children studied were consuming cows milk at 8 months of age. The frequency of porridge (cows milk and maize flour) consumption increased with age: 37% of the children aged between 6 and 8 months, 48% between 9 and 11 months and 64% between 12 and 24 months, reported regular porridge consumption. Food consumption at levels below WHO recommendations (2004) were observed for the following nutrients (% of children): folic acid (33%), Vitamin C (40%), Vitamin A (42%), zinc (46%) and iron (71%). The bioavailability of iron in the diet was approximately 8%, with 78% of the childrens diets being classified as having low or very low bioavailability. The foods which contributed most to total energy ingested were cow\'s milk and mother\'s breast milk, and in terms of iron, were the thickening agents used in porridge making. Conclusion: These results suggest that interventions should be introduced to promote exclusive breast feeding up to the sixth month, along with the introduction of healthy complementary foods and feeding practices. Improvements in bioavailability of iron in the diet are essential, through higher total iron consumption (meat, beans and meat/bean stock) and Vitamin C (encouragement to consume more fruit and vegetables) from the outset of introducing complementary food, while consumption of foods rich in iron inhibitors such as coffee, tea, thickeners and cows milk should be avoided. As child age increases, porridge consumption should be gradually substituted by encouraging the consumption of alternative foods available to the family.