This study aimed at verifying the prevalence of anemia in 6 to 12-month-old infantsattended at the public health service of the city of Viçosa, state of Minas Gerais, and analyzing some possible risk factors. Information was obtained through questionnaire applied to those responsible for the infants and through the verification of the anthropometric measures and the hemoglobin dosage by portable hemoglobinometer. In diagnosing anemia, a 11g/dL cutoff point was used. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in a total of 204 infants reached 60.8%, and 55.6% of the cases of anemia were serious. The hemoglobin average was 9.28<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>1.07 mg/dL in anemic infants, and 12.07<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT> 0.89 mg/dL in non-anemic ones. The father's low school level and the mother's age showed statistical association with anemia (p<0.05). A high prevalence and severity of the anemia was found, emphasizing the need for prevention and control of this disease in the city of Viçosa.
anemia; iron-deficiency; iron deficiency; nutritional status; infant; iron
