Introduction: Anaemia, iron deficiency, worm infestation and Helicobacter pylori infection is highly prevalent among young children population in India. This study is set to understand the aetiology of anaemia, iron deficiency, role of worm infestation and presence of Helicobacter pylori among young children population who are anaemic and iron deficit and to assess the impact of intervention to improve the status.

Methods and Results: 484 children of age 5-12 years from rural schools were enrolled for the study. Blood sample was collected from each student to measure haemoglobin and serum ferritin. H. pylori status was investigated with the 13C- Urea Breath Test. Stool specimen was subjected for microscopy to assess the presence of parasites. A total of 140 children out of 147 with anemia were selected for the intervention. 140 anemic children were randomly divided into seven groups. Each group comprised of 20 children. In Group 1 Children were kept as a control group with no intervention. In Group 2 children were given Iron supplementation. In Group 3 children were treated for H. pylori alone. In Group 4 children were treated for worms. In Group 5, Children were treated for H. pylori infection along with iron supplementation. In Group 6, children were treated for worm along with iron supplementation. In Group 7, Children were supplemented with iron along with treatment for H. pylori and deworming.

Of the 484 children, 147 (30.4%) was found to be anemic and 337 (69.6%) was non-anemic. 91 (18.8%) children were iron deficient. Out of 91 iron deficient, 17 (5.0%) were non-anemic and 74 (50.3%) were anemic. Urea breath test revealed 64 (13.2%) children were positive for H.pylori and stool examination showed 237 (50.0%) children are infested with potentially pathogenic parasites. Intervention studies showed that the Group 7 who received iron supplementation along with deworming and treatment for H.pylori showed significant rise in hemoglobin and serum ferritin compared to other groups

Conclusions: Childhood anemia continues to be a significant public health problem in school children and iron deficiency either alone or in combination (Iron deficiency, worm infestation and H.pylori infection) is the commonest cause of anemia. Improvement in knowledge regarding anemia and factors associated with it and life style management can be taught through educational programs and through the media to reduce the burden.