title: Hemoglobin cut-off values in healthy Turkish infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anemia is a widespread public health problem associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. This study was undertaken to determine the cut-off value of hemoglobin for infant anemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional retrospective study was carried out at well-baby clinics of a tertiary care hospital. A total of 1484 healthy infants aged between 4 to 24 months were included in the study. The relationship of hemoglobin (Hb) levels with mother age, birth weight, weight gain rate, feeding, and gender was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Hb levels were assessed in four age groups (4 months, 6 months, 9-12 months, and 15-24 months) and the cut-off values of Hb were determined. Hb cut-off values (5th percentile for age) were detected as 97 g/L and 93 g/L at 4 months and 6 months, respectively. In older infants, the 5th percentile was 90.5 g/L and 93.4 g/L at 9-12 months and 15-24 months, respectively. The two values were lower than the World Health Organization criteria for anemia, which could partly due to the lack of information on iron status in our population. However, this difference highlights the need for further studies on normal Hb levels in healthy infants in developing countries. Hb levels of females were higher in all age groups; however, a statistically significant difference was found in gender in only 6 month-old infants. No statistically significant difference was found among Hb levels, mother's age, birth weight, weight gain rate, and nutritional status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hb cut-off values in infants should be re-evaluated and be compatible with growth and development of children in that community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey, aarvas@istanbul.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arvas
authors.forename: Emel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gür
authors.forename: Durmuş
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Doğan
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins