A Retrospective Study of Severe Anemia in Children in a Tertiary Care Rural Hospital of Maharashtra

Abstract

Background- Anemia is a very common hematological disorder in infancy.In India and other developing countries, incidence of nutritional anemia is as high as 60- 80% of the childhood population. Anemia occurring during infancy affects the physical and neurological development of the child. It exposes the infant to the risk of infection which aggravates anemia so that there is a vicious cycle of anaemia, infection, anemia. This can be prevented if anemia is detected early and treated properly. This study, was conducted to evaluate the factors causing anaemia in children aged between 6 months to 12 years of age. Material and methods-The retrospective study was conducted in Dr.Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni over a period of two years September 2015 to September 2017. Patients between the age group of 6 months to 12 year admitted with anemia of hemoglobin <7g/dl were included in the study. Previously diagnosed hemolytic anemia were excluded from the study. Results- Out of 300 cases of severe anemia,40% were male and 60% were female. Maximum age group is between 3 – 5 years. Symptoms like fever, cough/cold, increased paleness and failure to thrive is signicantly higher (p<0.05),77% had hepatomegaly and 57% had splenomegaly.68.3 % are severely malnourished, 49.7% had microcytic hypochromic anemia. Conclusion- Females are prone for nutritional anemia. Severe anaemia is more common in severe acute malnutrition, they are more prone for respiratory infections. Aggressive action should be taken in anganwadi, Preschool and school going children for supplementation of iron especially in rural areas.