(P20-089-24) Anemia Status of Children Aged 6 Months to 18 Years in China, 2019–2021

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of anemia in children aged 6 months to 17 years in China, 2019-2021.

Methods: The study was a nationwide multi-stage stratified cluster randomization survey for children aged 0-18 years in China. Children aged 6 months to 18 years were sampled from 28 counties of 14 provinces in China. Fingerstick blood samples were collected and analyzed for hemoglobin (Hb) by using a portable hemoglobinometer (Hemocue 201+, Sweden). Anemia was defined according to the WHO recommended standard with altitude adjustment.

Results: In total, 89 176 children were included in the study. The prevalence of anemia for children aged 7 m-24 m, 3-6 years, 7-11 years, and 12-17 years was 16.8% (95%CI：13.5-20.1), 9.4% (95%CI：7.0-11.8), 7.3% (95%CI：7.0-7.6) and 10.8% (95%CI：10.4-11.1), respectively. Children aged 7 month have the highest prevalence of anemia 28.4% (95%CI：25.3-31.4) . The anemia prevalence was significantly higher for 3-6-year-old boys than girl (10.1% (95%CI：7.3-12.9) vs 8.7% (95%CI：6.6-10.8)). The opposite came true for children aged 12-18-year-olds (6.2% (95%CI：5.8-6.6) vs 15.4% (95%CI：14.9-16.0)). The anemia prevalence was significantly lower in the northern China than in southern China (7.0% (95%CI：4.8-9.3)vs 11.8% (95%CI：7.5-16.2)), (4.9% (95%CI：4.5-5.2) vs 9.7% (95%CI：9.2-10.1)), (8.4% (95%CI：8.0-8.8) vs 13.2% (95%CI：12.7-13.7))except for children under three years old. The anemia prevalence was significantly higher in Western China than in eastern and central China, except for child above 12 years.

Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia remains high for children, especially in southern and western regions and for children under one year old and adolescent girls.

Funding Sources: National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for Children 0–18 Years of Age in China（No. 2017FY101100，2017FY101103）