Iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid are essential key nutrients from the haemathological aspect. Level of the mentioned nutrients and haemological parameters were determinated in the ethnic Romany (gypsy) minority (men - n = 48, women - n = 71) and compared with the majority group (men - n = 56, women - n = 90). Iron levels are significantly lower in Romany women; deficient values were found in 29 % vs 14 % in the majority women. Serum iron values in men and deficient level frequency were not different. Iron deficiency in Romany women is partly associated with dietary habits (lower consumption of soya and other pulses, intake of animal iron sources equal or higher in comparison to majority group). Iron losses due to repeated pregnancies are the second cause of deficient iron levels. Sideropenic anaemia was detected in 14% Romany women vs 7%in majority (microcytic hypochromic - lower erythrocyte mean volume, lower haemoglobine concentration in erythrocyte and lower colour concentration). Vitamin B12 levels are similar in all groups. Vitamin deficiency recorded in 12 % majority women (preferential consumption of plant food). Romany groups have significantly lower folic acid levels as a consequence of low or almostno consumption of vegetables,whole grain product, pulses and fruit. Deficient levels were found 47 % in Romany men, 38 % in Romany women vs 28 % in majority men and women, respectively. Folic acid levels correlate positively the educational level (94 % Romany minority with elementary + continuation vs 27 % majority group). In spite of high folic acid deficiency macrocytic megaloblastic anaemia was not recorded the Romany population. Here only the hypothesis is acceptable of a lower folic acid need in metabolic cycles - remethylation (in theRomanyminority hyperhomocysteinemia wasnotrecorded)andDNA- cycle in associationwiththeethnicorigin.Conversely in 8 % of B12 deficient women of the majority group the mean erythrocyte volume was excessive and there was a higher haemoglobine concentration in erythrocyte and a low erythrocyte count.

        Key words: iron - vitamin B12 - folic acid - anaemias - Romany (gypsy) population