WHO's Hemoglobin thresholds used to define anemia (1 g/dL = 0.6206 mmol/L)
Age or gender group Hb threshold (g/dl) Hb threshold (mmol/l)
Children (0.5–5.0 yrs) 11.0 6.8
Children (5–12 yrs) 11.5 7.1
Teens (12–15 yrs) 12.0 7.4
Women, non-pregnant (>15yrs) 12.0 7.4
Women, pregnant 11.0 6.8
Men (>15yrs) 13.0 8.1
Age or gender group Hb threshold (g/dl) Hb threshold (mmol/l)
Children (0.5–5.0 yrs) 11.0 6.8
Children (5–12 yrs) 11.5 7.1
Teens (12–15 yrs) 12.0 7.4
Women, non-pregnant (>15yrs) 12.0 7.4
Women, pregnant 11.0 6.8
Men (>15yrs) 13.0 8.1
WHO Grading of anemia:
- Grade 1 (Mild Anemia): 10 g/dl - cutoff point for ages
- Grade 2 (Moderate Anemia): 7-10 g/dl
- Grade 3 (Severe Anemia): below 7 g/dl