The present aimed to assess the utility of serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) and sTfR -ferritin index in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children. Ninety children≤ 12years of age with anemia (6-59 months; Hb<11g/dl and5-12years Hb<11.5g/dl) were recruited. Serum iron, total iron binding capacity, percent transferrin saturation (%TS) and serum ferritin were measured in all patients. Sixty-two children with IDA (SF<15µg/l and/or %TS<16) were included in the study. Thirty-five controls were also studied (non anemic children without ID). sTfR was measured (ELISA) in patients and controls and ROC curve made. sTfR was significantly (p<0.001) higher in patients (6.0 ± 2.9 µg/ml) as compared to controls (1.2 ± 0.6 µg/ml). sTfR-F index showed a similar trend. The area under the ROC curve for sTfR was 0.985 indicating good diagnostic ability. The sensitivity and specificity of sTfR ≥ 2.25 µg/ml for diagnosis of IDA was 90.3% and 94.1% respectively. sTfR and sTfR-ferritin index are useful tests for the diagnosis of IDA.