Methods of Routine Haemoglobinometry in Childhood: Evaluation of Copper Sulphate Densitometry

Haemoglobin Levels in Cardiff Children of Nursery School Age

“…The low Hb level of Maori children at 2 years was probably due to prolonged breast feeding and consequent delay in obtaining a balanced diet. The very low figures for Bombay children were the result of grossly inadequate iron intake throughout childhood (Currimbhoy and Phadke, 1963).…”

“…The administratative problems are forbidding; but it is remarkable how readily the infants themselves co-operate away from an atmosphere of parental apprehension of fingerpricks, in sharp contrast to those children attending hospital outpatients with their parents. A simple screening method undertaken at the nurseries, such as the copper sulphate densitometric test used by blood donor attendants and also found to be a manageable procedure for children (Costeff, 1965), might well be a practical proposition to eliminate the 95% or so who do not require either further examination or iron therapy.…”