Frequency of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children from 6 Months to 5 Years of Age Presented with Pallor in Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency of iron deficiency anemia amongst children from 6 months to 5 years aged
group presenting with pallor.

Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences Muzaffarabad Azad Jammu & Kashmir from January 2025 to June 2025.

Methods: A cross sectional descriptive was conducted over a period of six months in the Department of Pediatrics. The study involved 200 children presented with pallor of aged 6 months to 5 years. After informed consent a structural proforma was obtained from parents or legal guardian of the patients. Hemoglobin <11.0g/dL was considered IDA based on Who criteria. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 version. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: In total of 200 children presented with pallor, n= 42 (21.0%) were diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. Overall, the highest frequency was seen in 37-48 months aged group n=49. Amongst IDA group the most prevalent age group was 49-60 months aged group with n=12. The most dominant gender was female n=104 than male n=96. A statistically significant difference was found between IDA and non-IDA group (p=0.0062). There was no significant association seen between IDA group and age and gender.

Conclusion: This study concluded that high frequency of iron deficiency anemia was seen in children with pallor and most of them in the late 60 months.