Prevalence of Iron Deficiency an a Emi a Among Children Aged 6 Months - 5 Years Admitted at KBNTGH and to Know the Rates of Prophylactic Iron Supplementation , a One Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to know the prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) among chilsdren aged 6 months-5 years in KBNTGH (Khaja Bandanawaz Teaching and General Hospital attached to Khaja Bandanawaz Institute of Medical Sciences). The files of 1519 patients aged between 0-5 years, who were hospitalized to KBN Hospital Pediatrics Ward were reviewed. A total of 50 patients with anaemia (Haemoglobin: 9gm%) consisting of 35 boys and 15 girls with the mean age of 16.59±1.68 months were included into the study. The prevalence of IDA was 3.29% (Boys: 4.23%, girls: 2.1%). Haemoglobin and haematocrit of these patients was analysed. Hemoglobim and hematocrit of children >24 months were significantly higher than those of the patients with the age of 6-12 months. Of the 28 patients who were older than 12 months, only 44% of them had received a full course of iron supplementation for 8 months. In conclusion, although prophylactic iron supplementation lowered the prevalences of IDA, receiving rates of iron supplementation were not adequate. While IDA is still a public health problem, prophylactic approaches should be carried out more effectively.