Prevalence and Pattern of Anemia in Children in Age Group 1 to 5 Years in Tertiary Care Hospital Nawabshah

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of anemia and its pattern amongst the admitted patients of age group 1 year to 5 years.

Study Design: Descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Paediatrics, PMCH Nawabshah from January 2018 to June 2018.

Materials and Methods: A total of 556 of patients were admitted with the diagnosis of anemia within the desired age range i.e. in age group of 1 to 5 years.

Results: Total admitted patients in age range of 1 to 5 years during January 2018 to June 2018 were 7445, out of these 556(7.46%) were found to be anemic. The male patients were 389 (69.7%), and female patients were 167 (30%). Regarding the distribution in age groups; 1-2 years age group had 331 (59.53%), 2-3 years 96 (17.2%), 3-4 years age group had 72 (12.94%), and 4 -5 years of age group had 47(8.45%) patients. 56 (10%) patients had severe anemia, 157 (28%) had moderate anemia, while 343 (61.7%) had mild anemia. On peripheral smear and hemoglobin indices 469 (84.35%) had microcytic picture, 45 (8.09%) had normocytic, 31(5.57%) had macrocytic, and 11 (1.97%) had dimorphic picture.

Conclusion: Authors have concluded the finding again that anemia is still a large burden over pediatric population, which needs to be addressed promptly and some thorough research should be done on preventing strategies.