Applicability of WHO criteria for anemia to Libyan school children

Hemoglobin concentration was determined in 2002 Libyan school children aged 6-19 yrs from three locales in Tripoli. Regression analysis was performed on the cut-off points derived from the mean values-SD of single year age groups. The cut-off points obtained were, for girls 6-19 yrs. 12 g/dl., for boys 6-15 yrs. 12 g/dl., 16-19 yrs. 13 g/dl. These were similar to W.H.O. criteria except for 15 yr old boys. [cut-off point for Libyan boys was 12 g/dl while it was 13 g/dl according to W.H.O. criteria