Background: Iron deficiency anemia in children is asymptomatic and easily overlooked in clinical settings.
Objective: To describe the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in children aged 2 months to 60 months treated at Cam Khe Center, Phu Tho province. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 405 children aged 2–60 months at Cam Khe Center, Phu Tho Province, from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. Clinical and laboratory data were collected through medical history taking, physical examination, and laboratory investigations. The data were entered into a database and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Results: Among the 405 children included in the study, the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 45,2%. The condition was most common among children aged 2 - 24 months (73.8%). The most common clinical manifestations were pale skin (79,2%), dry, thin, and easily breakable hair (60,7%), poor appetite (53.6%), nighttime crying (54.6%), pale palms (42.1%), and tachycardia accompanied by tachypnea (44,3%). Other frequently observed symptoms included pale mucous membranes and fatigue with decreased activity (36.1%). Among children aged 2 - 24 months, the mean serum iron and ferritin concentrations were 10.6 ± 4.3 µmol/L (median = 9,0) and 32,1 ± 22,9 µg/L (median = 25,0) respectively. Corresponding values in the 25 - 60 months age group were 12,7 ± 3,8 µmol/l and 43,9 ± 20,7 µg/L. The mean hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value were 102.4 ± 6.9 g/L and 30,8 ± 2,5%, respectively. Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia is highly prevalent in children. Deceased mean serum iron, ferritin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels suggest that the majority of affected children presented with mild to moderate iron deficiency and anemia, underscoring the need for early detection and timely intervention