Prevalence and clinical and laboratory profile of anemia among inpatient children under 5 years of age

Abstract

Background: Anemia is one of the most common health problems prevalent in Third World countries and developed countries. Anemia among children is of the most important public health problems as it is associated with overall growth and performance of children in academics. Objective: The objective of this study was to study the prevalence of different types of anemia and their hematological and laboratory parameters in pediatric population <5 years. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 100 inpatient children with different causes of anemia from age 1 to 60 months in children's ward of a tertiary care center. A thorough history and detailed clinical examination along with hematological investigations were carried out as per standard guidelines. Results: In the present study, 793 children of 1 month to 5 years were screened for anemia, and out of them, 100 children (12.6%) were found to have anemia. The inpatient prevalence of anemia in <5-year age group was 12.6%. Of them, 53% were male and 47% were female. Anemia due to iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) was 72 (72%), beta-thalassemia major was 1 (1%), beta-thalassemia minor was 5 (5%), sickle cell anemia was 6 (6%), sickle cell trait was 7 (7%), sickle cell thalassemia was 6 (6%), anemia of chronic disease was 1 (1%), megaloblastic anemia was 1 (1%), and anemia with Plasmodium falciparum malaria was 1 (1%). Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia was high among this inpatient population of children. IDA was most common, and slight preponderance for males was seen.