Prevalence of Anaemia in Children Treated in Kepala Batas, Penang

Suria Emilia Suhana Othman Tan,Narazah Mohd Yusoff,Nurul Nadiah Ishak

doi:10.51407/mjpch.v26i2.110

Suria Emilia Suhana Othman Tan, Narazah Mohd Yusoff + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.51407/mjpch.v26i2.110

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Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anaemia in children aged six months to fifteen years old treated in a single centre from 2008 to 2018. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among 274 children age six months to fifteen years old, treated in Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) from 2008 to 2018. The data was obtained from computerised hospital data (CARE2X), Laboratory Information System (LIS) or medical record. Parents of the eligible participants were called for any incomplete data and verbal consents were obtained. Descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the prevalence whereas the relationship between independent variables with types of anaemia were examined using simple logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of anaemia was 22.3%. Among the anaemic children, the predominant morphology form was hypochromic microcytic anaemia (82%) followed with normochromic normocytic anaemia (18%). Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) was found to be the commonest cause (24%) of hypochromic microcytic anaemia, followed by IDA with concomitant thalassaemia (14%) and thalassaemia alone (8%). In simple logistic regression analysis, no significant association was found. Conclusions: The prevalence of anaemia was 22.3%, which is considered as moderate public health problem according to WHO. Hypochromic microcytic anaemia was the predominant red cell morphology (82%) and IDA was the commonest causes (24%).

Highlights

Anaemia has been acknowledged for many years as a public health issue and global prevalence remain unacceptably high
The magnitude of hypochromic microcytic anaemia among children aged less than one year, two to five years, six to eleven years and twelve to fifteen years were 60%, 18%, 14.0% and 80% respectively
The prevalence of anaemia in children six months to fifteen years old treated in AMDI, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was 22.3% which is considered as moderate public health according to World Health Organization (WHO)

Summary

Introduction

Anaemia has been acknowledged for many years as a public health issue and global prevalence remain unacceptably high. Anaemia occurs worldwide especially in developing countries, which have significant adverse health consequences and impact on social as well as economic development [1]. In the year 2011, almost 43% (270 million) of children are predicted to have anaemia globally which has been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a severe public health issue [2]. WHO in 2016 has reported, the incidence of anaemia in children below five years age in Malaysia was 30.8% and need to be addressed urgently. Anaemia refers to a reduced amount of circulating erythrocyte or haemoglobin concentration in the body [3]. Diagnosis of anaemia based on haemoglobin concentration is the most reliable indicator that defines anaemia in children as haemoglobin (Hb) level less than 11g/dL, less than 11.5 g/dL and less than 12 g/dL according to the respective age: six to fifty-nine months, five to eleven years old and twelve to fifteen years old [4]

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