Prevalence of anaemia in 2-12-year-old 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.