History and Objectives: Iron deficiency anemia is the most important nutritional disorder with known complications. Since the prevalence of anemia and Iron-deficiency anemia are different in various regions and their status are not evaluated in Lorestan province, this study was performed in order to define the prevalence of anemia and Iron-deficiency anemia in children less than 5 years old in this province in 1376.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was performed on 1225 patients by multistage random sampling method. A hemoglobin level lower than 11 gram per deciliter and a serum ferritin level less than 12 microgram per liter were considered anemia and Iron-deficiency anemia respectively. The role of 6 and history of parasitic diseases in the anemia of these patients were determined and 95% confidence interval was estimated in the less than 5 years old children of Lorestan province.

Results: 97 of patients refused to participate in the study. In the 1128 studied patients, hemoglobin level was 12.2±1.4 gram per deciliter, prevalence of anemia and Iron-deficiency anemia were 31.6% and 26.5% respectively. 84% of anemia patients had Iron deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia was most commonly observed in the 6 to 18 months old infants. 75.3% of children had history of parasitic infestations and Iron deficiency anemia was more common in these group of children compared with those without this history.

Conclusion: Anemia and Iron deficiency anemia are of the serious problems in the Lorestan province and one third of children are affected by anemia. Further research for recognition of the major contributive factor of factors and experimental studies to define the best method for elimination of this problem are recommended.