Frequency of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children: Crosssectional survey of outpatients at Akhtar Saeed Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore from 2016-17

Abstract

Background: There are many significant problems which occur secondary to IDA (Iron deficiency anemia) like growth failure, depressed immune tolerance, and brain hypoxia and hence headache, overall decreased oxygen carrying capacity will lead to feeling of tiredness and feeling of unwell and irritability. Aim: To calculate the frequency of deficiency in children regarding iron. In this research we included 1000 kids, male and female. Methods: The blood samples taken in EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid) tubes. Complete blood count with differential obtained. Deficiency of Fe (iron) in serum and capacity of receptors to bind Fe was determined by having TIBC. Total percentage recorded for children with iron deficiency anemia was 33.90%. Percentage turned out more in females (39.2%) as compared to males (30.7%). Frequency of iron deficiency was more in kids belonging to low earning parents (39.16%), as compared to kids belonging to moderately earning parents (27.46%) and parents having high income (13.15%). Frequency of anemia was more in kids in between 9 and 11 yr (years) (41.45%). Pallor was the most prominent clinical finding. Conclusion: In this cross-sectional survey of pale children (0.4-11 years) those diagnosed with anemia were one third with average Hemoglobin level of around 10mg/dL and anemia was more in girls, age group of 9 to 11 years and in children of lower class parents. Half of these anemic presented with pallor followed by weakness, fatigue and pale conjunctiva.