Study of prevalence of anaemia and haematological parameters in children below 12 years

Abstract

Anaemia is a major global health problem; it results in significant morbidity and mortality among children 85 children below 12 years having anaemia were studied. Complete blood count was done to determine PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, Hb %, along with Peripheral smear (PS) study, Reticulocyte count and Serum iron (Fe), Serum B and Folic acid levels were done Types of anaemia were 50(58.8%) Iron deficiency anaemia, 12(14.1%) Thalassemia, 8 (9.41%) Megaloblastic anaemia, 7(8.23%) Anaemia of acute haemorrhage, 5 (5.88%) Sickle cell anaemia, 2(2.35%) Aplastic anaemia, 1(1.17%) Leukemia. The clinical manifestations were 85 (100%) pallor, 71(83.5%) weakness and fatigability, 32(37.6%) fever, 23(27.05%) 17(20%) shortness of breath, 15(17.6%) hepatomegaly, 12(14.1%) cough, 11(12.9%) history of pica, 11 (12.9%) spleenomegaly, 9(10.5%) petechiae, 8(9.4%) Nausea/vomiting, 8(9.4%) koilonychia, 4(4.7%) hyper pigmentation, 5(5.8%) tremors. Out of the total number of patients screened 18(21.1%) had mild, 39(45.8%) moderate and 28(32.9%) had severe anaemia. The present study of anaemia had Iron deficiency as the major cause followed by Thalassemia, Megaloblastic anaemia, acute Haemorrhage, Sickle cell anaemia and Aplastic anaemia. This study will be helpful to paediatricians to treat such patients efficiently to avoid morbidity and mortality.