Abstract

Lower respiratory tract infections(LRTI) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children and anemia is found to be one of the commonest cofactors. Reducing the risk factors will have a considerable impact on the growth and development of young children. Children with lower respiratory tract infection are frequently found to have co-existent nutritional anemia. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of anemia in children with LRTI. Objectives and Method of study: A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted with the objectives to find the prevalence of anemia in children (6 months- 59 months) with acute lower respiratory tract infection(LRTI) and to compare the mean duration of hospital stay in children with lower respiratory tract infection having anemia and without having anemia, was performed in 96 children admitted in the pediatrics department of Jorhat Medical College diagnosed with acute lower respiratory tract infections, as evidenced by clinical symptoms and signs, fulfilling the inclusion criteria during the period from June 2021 to May 2022. Results: Out of total 96 cases, more than half (54.4%) of the patients with anemia were aged 6-12 months, while more than half (53.6%) of those without anemia belonged to the age group 13-24 months. Male to female ratio was 1.1:1. Majority of the study participants were males in the anemic LRTI group (52.9%) and in the non-anemic LRTI group (53.6%). The prevalence of anemia among children (6 months – 59 months) admitted with LRTI was 70.8 %. Mean duration of stay in children with anemia in LRTI was 7.94 ± 2.26 SD. Mean duration of stay in children with anemia in LRTI was more compared to non-anemic cases. p-value was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). It is noted that anemic children with LRTI had longer hospital stay than those without anemia. Conclusion: Anemia is often overlooked while treating pediatric LRTI patients; thus, clinicians must routinely monitor hemoglobin levels in this population. Preventing anemia, regardless of its cause, will lower the occurrence of LRTI. A prompt and precise diagnosis is also crucial.

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