Abstract
Objective: Prevalence of anemia in Pakistan is high. Magnitude of anemia is well studied in
pregnant woman and infants in Pakistan, but we do not have enough data on school age
children. The aim of this study was to find the frequency of anemia in apparently healthy
primary school age population in Islamabad and its suburban area.
Material and Methods: All children between the ages of 5 and 14 years attending
participating non-formulary schools in Islamabad and its suburbs were enrolled in the study.
Children attending these schools belong to low to lower middle socioeconomic status.
Hemoglobin level was determined in all subjects and a level <11.5 gm/dl was considered as
anemia.
Results: A total of 319 children were enrolled. Eighty-seven (27%) children were found to
be anemic. Mean hemoglobin concentration was 12.1 gm/dl. There was no significant
difference between mean hemoglobin concentrations of males vs. female children.
Conclusion: Anemia is a significant problem in our apparently health school going children
of low to lower middle class. We suggest that primary school age children must be screened
for anemia and treated. (Rawal Med J 2006;31: )

Key words: Anemia, school, hemoglobin