Haematological Profile of Anaemia in Children of Age 1-12 Years in Southern Rural India

Anaemia in children is one of the major health problems in India as well as in many parts of the world, since anaemic children have reduced exercise tolerance, slow growth rate, impaired cognitive development and increased risk of complications associated with malnutrition and infection. The study was conducted on 561 patients in the age group of 1 to 12 years. The children with Hb% lesser than the cut-off value for their age were included in the study. Detailed clinical history was elicited and thorough clinical examination was performed. Peripheral smears of these patients were examined. Bone marrow examination was done where ever possible. The complete haemogram including reticulocyte count was done. Male children were more affected than the female children and children between 1-5 years were affected the most. Microcytic hypochromic anaemia was the most common morphological type of anaemia.Pediatric anaemias are very common since children are the most vulnerable for occurrence of these anaemias. This necessitates prompt screening and early diagnosis through utilization of basic investigations like clinical examination and peripheral smear examination, which hold a key position in the diagnostic algorithm of anaemia, in order to initiate timely treatment and appropriate management