To assess the prevalence of anemia, we surveyed 10 to 14 month old infants of families with heterogeneous socio-economic backgrounds from four regions of inner-city Montreal. Capillary blood was drawn to measure hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and serum ferritin (SF). A home-visit questionnaire assessed infant feeding practices and potential confounding variables. In the overall sample, the prevalence was 14.3% for anemia (Hb≥110 g/L), 9.4% for iron deficiency (SF≤10 mug/L), and 4.3% for iron deficiency anemia (SF≤10 mug/L and Hb≤110 g/L or MCV≤72 fL). There were no significant differences in iron status indices between socio-economic subgroups. Protectors of anemia determined through logistic regression analysis were introduction of cow's milk at or following 9 months of age (OR 0.17 [95% CI 0.056 to 0.540]) and breastfeeding for 6 months or less (OR 0.23 [95% CI 0.086 to 0.637]). Our results suggest that important health inequalities relating to anemia do not currently exist among infants residing in Montreal.

No description available.