Comparisons between studies are limited by the use of different indicators, cut-offs and lack of adjustment for inflammation; however, the very high prevalence of iron deficiency identified in our study was consistent with that observed for rural children of a similar age in Punjab, India (71.8% of children as defined by unadjusted low ferritin < 10 g/L) [56] and of preschool children living in Karnataka, India (61.9% as defined by low ferritin < 12 ng/mL; < 30 ng/mL if CRP > 5 mg/L) [11]. Here, CRP is linked to nutritional disorder.