Prevalence of Anaemia in Children Treated in Kepala Batas, Penang

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anaemia in children aged six months to fifteen years old treated in a single centre from 2008 to 2018. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among 274 children age six months to fifteen years old, treated in Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) from 2008 to 2018. The data was obtained from computerised hospital data (CARE2X), Laboratory Information System (LIS) or medical record. Parents of the eligible participants were called for any incomplete data and verbal consents were obtained. Descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the prevalence whereas the relationship between independent variables with types of anaemia were examined using simple logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of anaemia was 22.3%. Among the anaemic children, the predominant morphology form was hypochromic microcytic anaemia (82%) followed with normochromic normocytic anaemia (18%). Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) was found to be the commonest cause (24%) of hypochromic microcytic anaemia, followed by IDA with concomitant thalassaemia (14%) and thalassaemia alone (8%). In simple logistic regression analysis, no significant association was found. Conclusions: The prevalence of anaemia was 22.3%, which is considered as moderate public health problem according to WHO. Hypochromic microcytic anaemia was the predominant red cell morphology (82%) and IDA was the commonest causes (24%).

The Prevalence of Anaemia and Its Associated Risk Factors in Children Admitted To General Paediatric Ward At Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan

“…Most of the patients were Malay (97.7%) as Kelantan is a state resided by the Malay population in the majority. These results were in line with the study done by Suria et al in 2020 where the prevalence of anaemia in children aged 6 to 59 months was 78% (13).…”

“…Local studies from rural areas highlighted the impact of poverty on anaemia (10,27,28). The result was not in line with the study conducted by Suria et al where only 28.9% of patients were from the family of B40 category as there was a higher parental education level and higher income in Kepala Batas, Penang (13).…”

The Prevalence of Anemia Among Vietnamese Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…In comparison to findings reported in other countries, the outcomes of our study unveil a relatively lower prevalence of anemia, a contrast to the figures documented in several developing nations such as Central Asia (64.7%), South Asia (54.8%), and Andean Latin America (62.3%). 26 However, our results present a higher prevalence when juxtaposed with the anemia prevalence rates noted in China (27.0%), 27 Malaysia (22.3%), 28 and Saudi Arabia (27.2%). 29 These disparities in anemia prevalence between Vietnam and these countries could potentially be attributed to multifaceted factors, encompassing distinctive dietary practices, geographic nuances, and varying cultural contexts.…”

Triple burden of malnutrition among Malaysian children aged 6 months to 12 years: current findings from SEANUTS II Malaysia

“…However, SEANUTS II Malaysia found a high prevalence of anaemia (40•3 %) among children below 4 years old, which indicates that anaemia among young children in Peninsular Malaysia was a problem of severe public health significance. As anaemia may affect cognitive development, growth rate and immunity of children (50) , this is a matter that requires urgent attention and action. A local study conducted in Penang, Malaysia, reported that about 22•3 % of children aged 6 months to 15 years were anaemic (50) .…”

“…As anaemia may affect cognitive development, growth rate and immunity of children (50) , this is a matter that requires urgent attention and action. A local study conducted in Penang, Malaysia, reported that about 22•3 % of children aged 6 months to 15 years were anaemic (50) . In Malaysia, NHMS 2019 reported that approximately 21 % of the population aged 15 years and above is anaemic, with an even higher prevalence (30 %) among women of reproductive age (10) .…”