Iron-deficiency anemia is almost certainly the most prevalent nutritional disorder among infants and young children in the United States. Anemia is frequently seen among children of low socioeconomic status but is probably also the most frequent nutritional deficiency disease seen among children cared for by private doctors. Possible reasons for the widespread occurrence of this disease are: (1) an erroneous belief among many physicians that iron is not absorbed before 2 or 3 months of age and that therefore it is useless to give iron to young infants, (2) lack of awareness among professional workers and parents that most unfortified foods provide limited amounts of iron, (3) inability of many parents to carry out a program of daily administration of medicinal iron, and (4) feeding of milk, a poor iron source, to infants in large quantities to the exclusion of iron-rich foods. Recommendations are given for average daily intake of iron. A massive educational effort directed to professional workers and to parents is urged, and suggestions are made for evaluation of maternal and child programs. Tables give data on the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia and the iron content of commercial infant foods. (NH)