OBJECTIVE: To verify the prevalence of anemia associated with the introduction of complementary food in children less than two years old in the city of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed in 354 children between 6 and 12 months of age which were registered in the Live Births Information System from Campinas area. Health professionals interviewed the mothers, who answered a questionnaire about food introduction and socioeconomic status. Capillary blood was collected and the hemoglobin level was determined by Hemocue®. Anemia was diagnosed if hemoglobin level was below 11g/dL. Survival analysis was performed to determine the influence of complementary food introduction on anemia. RESULTS: 66.5% of the children had hemoglobin levels lower than 11g/dl. Anemia was associated to early introduction of the family diet (p=0.036), bread (p=0.012), yogurt (p=0.006), soft drinks (p=0.005), candies (p=0.005) and snacks (p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate complementary food introduction is associated with anemia. This information should be addressed by health programs in order to prevent anemia in children.
supplementary feeding; anemia; infant; iron deficiency
