A Study of Etioclinicopathological Profile of Moderate to Severe Anemia in Pre-School Children in and around Dehradun

Abstract

Background
Anemia is a common health problem in preschool children. It is characterized by a decreased concentration of hemoglobin and red blood cells, which can lead to impaired physical and cognitive development. The prevalence of anemia in preschool children varies depending on the country and region. In India, the prevalence of anemia is estimated to be between 30% and 70%. The present study was carried out with an aim to study the etiology and clinicopathological profile of moderate to severe anemia in pre-school children.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study conducted in department of paediatrics SGRR institute and medical health sciences Dehradun India from April 2016 to March 2023, with an aim to determine prevalence of moderate to severe anemia and its etiology in preschool children aged 6 to 60 months .
Results
In a population of 2220 preschool children aged 6 to 60 months prevalence of moderate to severe anemia was 24.8%. This was higher among females (30.4%) than males (19.1%). Iron deficiency anemia was the most common type of anemia (69.0%), followed by vitamin B12/folic acid deficiency anemia (18.2%). Microcytic hypochromic anemia was the most common morphology of anemia (70.9%).
Conclusion
Majority of children in present study had anemia (59.9%). Prevalence of mild, moderate and
severe anemia was 35.1%, 18.9% and 5.9% respectively. Microcytic hypochromic type was the
most common type (n=390; 70.9% Iron deficiency anemia was most common (n=380; 69%)
followed by Vitamin B12/Folic acid deficiency (n=100; 18.2%).