Objective: To study the relationship between the hemoglobin level of children < or = 3 years and anemia of their mothers.
Methods: Multi-steps cluster sampling was adopted. In order to ensure sufficient number of babies and young children and postpartum in this survey, additional subjects were included in the sample. The subjects in study were collected in the same family.
Results: The average anemia prevalence of children < or = 3 years was significant different between urban and rural (26.9%, 94/350 and 32.4%, 594/1835, P < 0.05) areas. The birth weight of anemia children < or = 3 years was significant lower than nonanemic children (P < 0.05); the incidence of low birth weight of anemia children < or = 3 years was significant higher than nonanemic children (P < 0.05); the percentage of Hb < 100 g/L and < 110 g/L were 7.6% (166/2185) and 24.9% (544/2185); the Hb levels of children fed by anemia mother and nonanemic mother were significantly different (115.6 +/- 17.4) g/L, (115.2 +/- 16.7) g/L and (123.3 +/- 14.9) g/L, (122.2 +/- 15.3) g/L, P < 0.001.
Conclusion: There should be significant relation between the Hb level of children < or = 3 years and anemia of their mother.