Severity and Frequency of Anemia in Different Age Group in 6 Months to 5 years Children: A Prospective Study at a Teaching Hospital in Rural Haryana, India

Background: Anemia is a worldwide health issue that affects children, especially those under the age of five, resulting in morbidity and mortality. The most common type of nutritional deficiency anemia in India is iron deficiency anemia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia in children under the age of five, as well as the severity of anaemia in each age group.

Methods: This was a prospective study that conducted from January to December 2015 and included all children with clinical Anemia and haemoglobin levels less than 11 gm/dl.

With a complete blood count and a peripheral smear test, data on age, sex, dietary habits, socioeconomic status and haemoglobin level were analysed.

Results: There were 109 children in total, with females outnumbering males. Anemia was most common (60.55%) in children aged 6 to 24 months, followed by children aged 37 to 60 months (21.10%). Anemia was found in a high number of children who ate a vegetarian diet, were from a low socioeconomic background, and had not been breastfed for the first 4-6 months. Regarding pattern of severity of anemia maximum number (47.705%) belonged to moderate type of anemia followed by mild (35.77%) 0 and severe (16.50%).

Conclusion: In our research, the most vulnerable age group for Anemia in children was 6 months to 24 months, especially for those who came from a low socioeconomic background, ate a vegetarian diet, and were not breastfed for the first 4-6 months of their lives. The majority of the children had mild Anemia. These vulnerable children should be tested as soon as possible to avoid the short and long-term effects of anaemia.