Iron requirements in late infancy are higher than during any other period in life. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in children worldwide. It is estimated that close to 50% of preschool children are anemic globally, and most of these children are anemic due to iron deficiency. Much new information has been published in the last decade on requirements, metabolism, physiological and neurodevelopmental effects of iron as well as of iron deficiency. The challenges to define strategies for prevention, treatment by managing the risk of adverse effects of too much iron given to iron-replete individuals remain. This issue of the Annales is therefore dedicated to the topic "Iron Deficiency in Infancy and Childhood".
