Severe iron deficiency anemia with critically low hemoglobin in a 2-year-old child: a case report

Abstract

Background: Anemia in young children is a major public health problem worldwide. Around 1.6 million people have been diagnosed with anemia, and 47.4% of them are preschool children. Nutritional Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is the most common type of anemia in pediatrics. Several complications happen due to IDA during the first 2 years of life, such as reducing cognitive development, lowering immunity, and delaying growth. Case Presentation: A 2-year-old girl was brought to the Emergency Room complaining of fever (39°C) associated with skin pallor for 2 months. A complete blood count laboratory test result showed a very critical low hemoglobin (Hb) 3.39 g/dL. She received a blood transfusion, as a life-saving treatment. She was diagnosed with IDA secondary to formula milk dependency. Her Hb reached 10.62 g/dL and she was discharged with iron supplementation for 6 months. Conclusion: This case adds more to the literature by documenting critically low Hb level with positive findings in physical examination, which are pansystolic murmur and palpable bounding pulse, indicating severe IDA.