What Is the Best Test for Iron Deficiency?
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To the Editor.
We are indebted to Oski et al1 and to the 38 children who received injections of iron dextran for demonstrating the importance of determining not only which children had iron deficiency anemia but also those with iron deficiency without anemia. However, the primary physician needs a screening test that is efficient and not costly. Unfortunately, the history and physical examination are not effective screens for the identification of children at riskwith the exception of those children drinking in excess of one quart of milk a day.2




