A STUDY ON PREVALENCE AND FACTORS RELATED WITH ANAEMIA IN THE PEDIATRIC CHILDREN AT TERTIARY HEALTH CARE INSTITUTE

Abstract

Background: In poorer countries, anaemia is a major public health concern. According to a global estimate of childhood anaemia, 293.1 million (about 43 percent) of children under the age of five are anaemic.

Aims and Objectives: At a tertiary health care institute, researchers will look into the prevalence of anaemia and the factors that contribute to it in children.

Methodology: This was a one-year cross-sectional study of children under the age of six who were admitted to a tertiary health care center's paediatric department for various illnesses and anaemia (low haemoglobin on routine investigation). 620 children were enrolled in the study over the course of a year. The information was given in a tabular format with percentages.

Result: In our study, the commonest age group was 1-2 years old. They accounted for 36 percent, with 2-3 years amounting for 20.97 percent and 3-4 years amounting for 16.77 percent. Girls made up 62 percent of the youngsters, with boys amounting for 35 percent. History on acute respiratory tract infection was the commonest clinical feature in 56 percent of cases, followed by History of diarrhoea in 45 percent, History of infection in 38 percent, Bodyache in 28 percent, Spleen enlargement in 21 percent, Easy fatiguability in 15 percent, Poor-concentration in 12 percent, Delayed Mile Stones in 10%, and Breathlessness in 8%. Mild anaemia accounted for 56 percent of all cases, followed by Moderate at 29 percent and Severe at 15%. Under-nourished children accounted for 65 percent of the total, followed by History on acute respiratory tract infection (56 percent), History of diarrhoea (45 percent), History of Malaria (29 percent), History of Worm-infestation (23 percent), Lower socio-economic status (19 percent), Pure vegetarianism (17 percent), and Not Exclusive Breastfeeding (15 percent).

Conclusion: The commonest clinical features of anaemia in children were History on acute respiratory tract infection, followed by History of diarrhoea, History of infection, Bodyache Spleen enlargement, Easy fatiguability, and the commonest related factors were Undernutrition, History on acute respiratory tract infection, History of diarrhoea, History of Malaria, History of Worm-infestation, Lower socio-economic status Pure vegetarian, Not exclusively breast feeding, and so on.

Key Words: ARI, Diarrhoea, Lower socio-economic status (Socio Economic Status), Breast feeding.