Discovering anaemia at child health clinics.

Abstract

Children at three inner city child health clinics were offered haemoglobin estimation by fingerprick blood test when attending for immunisation against measles. Of the 98 immunised, 92 (94%) participated in the study, together with 58 other children. Anaemia (haemoglobin concentration less than 110 g/l) was found in 33 of 130 overall (25%), and in 17 of 44 Asian children (39%). The method of testing was acceptable to parents and staff.