A STUDY OF ANEMIA IN HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN INDIA

Amieleena Chhabra*1, Vipan Chandar2, Amit Singh3, Alpa Gupta4, Harish Chandra Sandeep Gaur6

Amieleena Chhabra*1, Vipan Chandar2, Amit Singh3, Alpa Gupta4, Harish Chandra Sandeep Gaur6 1Senior Resident, Department of Pediatrics, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital & PGIMER, New Delhi, India 2Professor and HOD, Department of Pediatrics, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Ram Nagar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India 3Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India 4Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Ram Nagar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India 5Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Himalayan Institute of Medical, Sciences, Swami Ram Nagar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India 6Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

The aim was to find out the etiology of anemia in hospitalized children. It was a prospective study in tertiary care hospital, dehradun (Uttrakhand) india. One hundred eighteen (118) children between 6 months -14 years of age were studied for anemia. 64.4% were boys and 36.5% were girls. 51% were less than 5 years of age. Mild, moderate and severe anemia was seen in 10.1%, 35.5% and 54.2% cases respectively. Nutritional anemia was most frequent with Iron deficiency in 55% and Megaloblastic in 9.3%.Other causes were malignancies (16%), chronic disorders (9.3%).Thalassemia major (3.3%) and Bleeding disorders (2.5%).All cases presenting with PICA and chronic diarrhea had Iron deficiency anemia (p<0.01).Pallor was present in 100% cases. Megaloblastic anemia was found to be common in older age group .51% had malnutrition and majority belonged to Low socioeconomic status.The study highlights the etiology of anemia in hospitalized children. The incidence of nutritional anemia was maximum. Megaloblastic anemia was found in older age group and the incidence of Thalassemia was low.

Key words: Anemia, Children, Nutritional anemia.