Hematological Profile of Severe Anemia in Children Aged Below 5 Years

Abstract

Background: Anaemia is defined as a reduction in red blood cell (RBC) volume and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration below the range of values seen in normal healthy individuals. Children aged below 60 months typically manifest with symptoms of underlying illness, rather than anemia per se. Common complaint is widespread weakness. There should be more knowledge and extensive study of this common problem, which needs to be addressed more effectively, and all efforts should be taken to lessen children's suffering and the likelihood of mortality. Hence the current study was undertaken. Our aim is to study the hematological profile of children suffering from severe anemia. Methods: This is a kind of observational study done on 100 children aged 6 months to 5 years who were admitted into paediatric ward of Fathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India with severe anemia i.e., children with Hemoglobin ≤7gm/dl. Type of anemia was assessed as per peripheral smear findings. Investigations assessed include hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and reticulocyte count. Results: Most of the children had microcytic hypochromic (MH) or iron deficiency anemia. Normocytic normochromic (NN) anemia is next commonly seen. There is no significant difference in mean age, reticulocyte count in children of MH or NN groups. But there is significant difference in MCV, MCH and MCHC and Hb concentrations between MH and NN groups. Conclusion: Nutritional deficiency anemia is most commonly seen among children aged 6 to 59 months in India. Key words: Severe anemia, Hematological profile, Microcytic hypochromic, Iron deficiency, Hemoglobin