Objectives: To compare the prevalence d iron deficiency among Ghanaian cbidren indifferent residential settings and to see whether 200n1g ferrous fumerate B.P. could correctiron deficiency anaemia in observed cases of iron deficiency.Design: Prospcctivc case-tinding study using an Iron-deficiency society questionnaire,laboratory data add general practice records. Crude prevalence was calcl~lated using thehospital's mid-year estimates.Setting: Nkoranza in the Brong Ahafo Rcgionof Ghana, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.Kumasi, GhanaSubject: Rural-dwelling children entering as ou t-patienh, urban-dwelling children enteringas controls and new-ly diagnosed iron-deficient children cntering as in-patients.hfuit~ outconic mearirres: Crudc prevalence rates (per quinquennia) for three grnups ofchildren. Correctud deficiencies espresscd as percentage aftcr management. Age,haernoglobin, iron status, residential status, svmptoms at entry and after therapy.Results: Following u 30-day adminbtration d ferrous furnarvte, the mcan serum iron for therural children increased significantly by 3.3 p o V l representing an improved iron status uf20.09 I P<O.U(101). Iron deficiency anacmia defined by serum Hh<lZ.Og/dl and Fed2.5mmoY 1 decreased by 10%: in the rural subjects. Comparatively. iron deficielicy among [henewly diagnosed anaemia group, fell by 17.6% whilst their ambulant urban counterpartsemployed as the control Croup had an iron deficiency anocmiu of O.D%.Conclusion: l'he study clearly indicates that the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemiaamong children in rural Ghana is about ten times that of the urban-dwelling children andthat iron-deficiency anaemia accounts for a greater percentage of all anaemic cases amongchildren in n ~ ~ r hrlspitals. It was alsushownthnt taking appropriate iran supplen~ents like 204mg of ferruw fumcrate for thirty days can subs tan ti all^ improve the iron status of irondeficientchildre
