Prevalence of anaemia in 2–12-yearold Iranian children

Haemoglobin levels were used to estimate the prevalence of anaemia in children 2–12 years old in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The study was part of the National Health and Disease Survey in 1999 that used a cluster sample of 1 in 1000 of the Iranian population. Of 4170 children aged 2–6 years, 7.3% were diagnosed with mild anaemia, 2.5% moderate anaemia and 1.0% severe anaemia (WHO definitions). Of 8461 children aged 7–12 years, 10.9% were diagnosed with mild anaemia, 3.0% moderate anaemia and 1.1% severe anaemia. The prevalence of anaemia was significantly higher in rural than urban areas.