Iron-deficiency diagnosis in infancy

Abstract

A comparison of diagnoses of iron-deficiency, using the index proposed by WHO (11.0 g/dl) and other parameters of great sensitivity, in a population of children of 60 months or less, was made. The inclusion of a great proportion of "positives" through the use of these standards is compensated for by the guarantee of adequate treatment for the majority of iron-deficient children. This is an important attitude in developing societes with high prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia and is also practical because of the low cost of iron supplement.