Anemia Related to Age

Hematocrit determinations were performed on 3,016 children in a community with homogeneous socioeconomic and racial characteristics. Striking differences in the occurrence of anemia were found in the age groups studied. Anemia was frequent (14.8%) in infancy, but by preadolescence had declined to 2.6%. However, subsequent compensatory ability was marginal, for after puberty and during pregnancy anemia recurred with considerable frequency. Nearly 25% of pregnant teen-age girls were anemic. Surveys designed to detect nutritional anemia should include the infant and the teen-age girl. Study of only preschool and prepubertal age groups will underestimate the prevalence of nutritional anemia.