摘要篇首： INTRODUCTIONIron deficiency, the most common nutrient deficiency, has been a global health problem, affecting one third of the world population. The condition is especially severe in developing countries. According to the data from WHO, the prevalence rates of anemia in these areas were 48% and 39% respectively in children under 5 years of age and between 5 - 14 years, of whom, over half cases were iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Furthermore, the prevalence rate of iron deficiency is at least 2 times that of IDA. Thanks to some well-organized public health education and widespread food iron fortification programs, the prevalence rate of IDA has declined remarkably during the last three decades. According to the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999-2000) , the rates of iron deficiency and IDA in children aged 1-2 years were 7% and 2% respectively (however, the rate of iron deficiency was still up to 17% in Hispanic descendents).