Abstract
Anemia is the most common hematological disorder affecting humans. In Peru, anemia is a pressing issue that present the most significant concern due to its adverse effects, such as delayed growth and psychomotor development, in addition to a deficiency in cognitive development. Anemia is a significant public health issue in Peru, which has one of the highest prevalence rates in infants in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region, affecting approximately 43.6 % of children under three years nationally as of 2017, with rural areas experiencing a higher prevalence of approximately 53.3 %. In 2019, the prevalence was highest in the Sierra (48.8 %) and Selva regions (44.6 %), whereas the coast had a lower rate of 33.9 % in children under 36 months. Although the composition of the gut microbiota is relatively well described in children, there is little information on the identification of the microbiota in iron-deficiency anemia. There is evidence that diseases or health conditions can change the microbiota, or vice versa. This study aimed to identify the microbiota in children with anemia who did not recover after iron treatment. In a previous study, we found that the phylum Actinobacteria was predominant in the microbiota of children with anemia. These data will be useful for understanding the functionality of the most important bacteria found in each group at the genus or species level, especially the metabolic pathways in which they participate and their links with iron metabolism. Microbial composition data were obtained through next-generation 16S rRNA sequencing (NGS) of stool samples from children with anemia in southern Peru. Numerous studies have underscored the importance of early symbiotic development in infant health and its long-term impact on health. From infancy, modulation of the gut microbiota can promote long-term health. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), iron-deficiency anemia may cause serious complications, such as fatigue, headaches, restless legs syndrome, heart problems, pregnancy complications, and developmental delays in children. The development of the gut microbiota is regulated by a complex interplay between host and environmental factors. The bidirectional link between the gut microbiota and anemia plays an important role in tracking the gut microbiota and will be useful in understanding the composition of the intestinal microbiota and its implications in anemia, which has now become a public health problem. Our previous study investigated the microbial composition in children with iron-deficiency anemia and revealed the presence of several bacterial groups, including Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Chloroflexi. In addition, these data may be useful for investigating the association between the intestinal microbiota of children with persistent anemia and those who have recovered.