Anemias in children from two health centers in Recife (Brazil)

Abstract

The prevalence of anemias in preschool children at two health centers in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, was investigated. A total of 1,306 children, aged 6-60 months, were selected. The prevalence of anemias was almost twice as high in the children at the Health Center Lessa de Andrade, supported by the state government, as that found at the Health Center in Areias, belonging to the Federal Health service (INAMPS). The low hemoglobin levels, which varied from 41 to 77% in the sample of this age group, was found to be higher in children under two years of age. Besides being related to the age, and to the per capita income of the families, of the children under study, a statistical association was detected between anemia and nutritional status assessed by Gomez's classification.