[Magnitude, geographic distribution and trends of anemia in preschoolers, Brazil].

Objective: To assess the magnitude, geographical distribution and trends of the prevalence of nutritional anemia among preschoolers and to identify risk groups in the state of Paraiba, Brazil.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey with multistage random sampling procedure was conducted in 8 urban municipalities of three mid-regions (Zona da Mata, Agreste and Sertão) in the state of Paraíba in 1992. A total of 1,287 preschoolers of both sexes were selected.