Iron deficiency anemia in children is a challenge for public health. Considering that São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and the lack of studies with representative samples of children enrolled in public day-care centers, a cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of São Paulo to estimate the prevalence of anemia and to identify factors associated with the disease. A random sample of 330 preschool children of 20 public day cares centers was analyzed. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin below 11.0 g/dL. A hierarchical logistic regression model was applied. The prevalence of anemia was 68.8% (CI95%=63.8%; 73.8%). Factors associated with anemia were child's age below 24 months (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.7; CI95% = 1.4; 5.2) and age of the child's guardian below 25 years of age (OR: 1.8; IC95% = 1.0; 3.2). The prevalence of anemia was higher than in most studies performed in different cities of Brazil. Programs for anemia control should be monitored and modified, if necessary, especially for children in public day-care centers below two years of age and with young guardians.
Anemia; Day care centers; Preschool
