SERUM TOTAL CHOLESTEROL AND FERRITIN AND BLOOD HEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATIONS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLCHILDREN

Serum total cholesterol and ferritin and haemoglobin concentrations we re measured in blood samples obtained by venepuncture in 378 of 593 ch ildren aged 5-6 or 8-9 years from seven primary schools in Canterbury. This study formed part of an investigation to assess the feasibility of including a venepuncture procedure for monitoring purposes in prima ry schoolchildren. Although only one child had a very low haemoglobin concentration of 61 g/l, a large percentage, 25% in the rising 6 years and 7% in the rising 9 years, had concentrations between 100 and 115 g/l - that is, less than the reference fifth centile. Eight per cent h ad a serum ferritin concentration less than 8 mu g/l. Cholesterol conc entrations higher than 5.2 mmol/l were found in 20% of the 5-6 year ol ds and 23% of the 8-9 year olds, and in 19% of boys and 25% of girls. About 5% of children had cholesterol concentrations above 6 mmol/l. Th e number of children with anaemia, iron deficiency, and high cholester ol raises serious concerns about the nutritional and coronary heart di sease risk of British children.