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Objectives: to determine the reasons for diagnosis of anemia among children and referral to specialized services. Methods: an historical and concurrent cohort study was carried out among anemic children referred to the Hematology Service of the Federal University of Minas Gerais's Clinical Hospital, Belo Horizonte, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, between May 1999 and December 2001. Results: 153 children aged under 16 were evaluated, 83% of whom had been re[erred by Health Centers. Approximately one third of the children did not receive any treatment at the referring service. One hundred and eleven (71.3%) were diagnosed as having iron-deficiency anemia. Thirteen children (8.6%) received a diagnosis of thalassemia minor; and a further thirteen other anemia-related diagnoses. 11.5% had no kind of anemia. The mean hemoglobin levels were significantly higher when tested by a hematologist than at the referring services (9.7±1.9 vs. 8.9±2.0);p=0.001. Only 16.2% of children did not respond to initial treatment with oral iron salts, with iron (II) sulfate being the medication usually prescribed (79.3 %). Conclusions: iron deficiency was the main cause of children being referred to a specialized service for reason of anemia. Unnecessary referral of individuals with iron-deficiency anemia is potentially harmful to patients and puts an excessive burden on the health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]