Hematologic values and prevalence of anaemia in Libyan school children

The hematologic values and prevalence of anemia in Libyan school children 6-19 yrs of age were investigated. The mean values of boys followed the normal pattern of rise with age. In girls, the mean values increased with age until age 15 yrs, and subsequently declined. The prevalence of low hemoglobin and of low hematocrit values was 3.2% and 11.3% respectively. The highest prevalence of low hemoglobin in boys and in girls was 4.6% (13-15 yrs) and 6.2% (16-19 yrs) respectively. The highest prevalence of low hematocrit was observed in age group 6-9 yrs in both sexes (boys 17.0%, girls 20.2%). Rates of prevalence of anaemia in Libyan school children were compared with those in Bahrain, Oman and USA.