Abstract 162

Aim: to establish the prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in children, and its relationship to diet.

Subjects: children, up to 17 years of age, presenting to a childrens hospital.

Measurements: children with a low haemoglobin (<110g/l) or a low MCV (<76fl) or both were considered abnormal and serum ferritin was measured. All samples received by the Haematology Department during two months were included. Excluded were children whose presenting diagnosis could influence the haematological data. Using a food frequency questionnaire, nutrient intake was studied in sub-sample of 14 children with normal Hb and MCV and 45 abnormals < 3 yr of age.

Results: 2320 samples were received; 1146 were excluded. 981 were normal and 193 (17.9%) abnormal. In children < 3 years of age, 126 out of 440 (28.6%) were abnormal. 30.8% of the ferritin results in the anaemic group were low (<15ug/l).

Conclusions: Iron deficiency anaemia is still common in this hospital population. Infant formula, meat and meat products and cereals, including breakfast cereals, in the diet were all positively correlated with good iron status.