OBJECTIVE: 
Anemia is a serious health problem throughout the world experienced by both developed and developing countries. In Indonesia, the prevalence of anemia is higher in children under 5 years (28.1%) and tends to decline as their age developed. Anemia in children results from multidimensional factors such as socioeconomic status, nutritional intake, biological, environmental, etc. Anemia can cause a variety of problems in children, such as slower cognitive development, impaired immune system, inhibits growth and development. Data on anemia in children in Indonesia, especially in East Nusa Tenggara is still limited. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of anemia in children at Dr Hendrikus Fernandez Public Hospital, Larantuka, East Flores.
METHOD: 
This cross sectional study was conducted from June to November 2018 in all hospitalized children aged 6 months - 12 years at Dr Hendrikus Fernandez Public Hospital, Larantuka, using the consecutive sampling method. The data consisted of sex, age, parental income, nutritional status and the first blood test results. These data were crostabulated with anemia and its severity by computer program.

RESULT:
A total of 95 data was collected during the study period. Anemia prevalence is 57.8% among pediatric patients. The severity of anemia from the most to the least was moderate anemia (71%), mild anemia (25.4%), and severe anemia (3.6%). Most of the respondents experienced anemia in the type of hypochromic microcytic (98.41%). Anemia is more common in the children under five years (71.6%), malnutrition status (70.3%), low parental income (68%), and girls (30.5%). 
CONCLUSION: 
Prevalence of anemia was 57.8% (CI 95% = 47.7%-68%) in children aged 6 months - 12 years in Larantuka, East Nusa Tenggara. Thus, there should be further analyses to prevent complications of anemia because its prevalence in children is quite high and its severity was moderate anemia.