Nutritional status of Head Start and nursery school children. II. Biochemical measurements.

At the beginning of a Head Start and nursery school program in the fall, nursery school children had significantly higher hemoglobin and hematocrit levels and mean corpuscular volume than Head Start children. The latter had a higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and alpha 1 globulin level. In the spring, at the close of both preschool programs, nursery school children still had higher hemoglobin and hematocrit levels and mean corpuscular volume, and also a higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin and total iron binding capacity. Head Start children exhibiting signs of anemia in the fall were improving in iron status in the spring. Normal blood protein levels for both groups of children indicated adequate protein status. This condition was confirmed by urinary analysis of urea, creatinine, and inorganic sulfate sulfur.