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Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2002;156:519.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

I believe that the current screening and treatment recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have been inadequate and have failed to prevent iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in a notable number of 1- to 2-year-old children. Eden and Mir¹ recently reported a 10% IDA prevalence in 1- to 2-year-olds and 2 subsequent studies^2-3 showed 11.5% and 8% rates. Iron-deficiency anemia during the first 2 years of life has been shown to be associated with impaired mental and psychomotor development.⁴ These deficits have proven to be long lasting despite correction of the anemia; thus, every attempt must be made to prevent IDA during this critical period.

Halterman⁵ reported that 6- to 16-year-olds who were iron-deficient, with or without anemia, scored lower in math than a comparable iron-sufficient group. These results suggest that millions more US children than previously thought are at risk of impaired cognition. It also raises more serious questions . . . [Full Text of this Article]