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Introduction: Anemia remains a major public health challenge worldwide, particularly affecting children under five years of age in developing countries. It contributes significantly to morbidity, impairs growth and cognitive development, and increases susceptibility to infections. Identifying clinical patterns and hematological profiles is vital to guide effective prevention and management strategies.
Methods:A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Central India, including children aged 1 month to 14 years admitted between August and December 2019 with anemia at admission. Demographic data, clinical presentation, nutritional status, and laboratory parameters were collected from hospital records. Hematological indices and additional investigations were analyzed to determine anemia types and etiologies. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, and associations were assessed with chi-square tests.
Results: Out of 610 admitted children, 182 (46.2%) were anemic. Male children (53.8%) slightly outnumbered females (46.2%), but the difference was not statistically significant. The highest prevalence was observed in children under five years (76.9%), with most cases showing moderate anemia (48.3%), followed by mild (28.5%) and severe (23.1%). Microcytic anemia was the most common morphological type (61.5%). Nutritional anemia predominated, with 43 cases of iron deficiency and 14 cases of vitamin B12 deficiency. Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) was present in 38 children and significantly associated with anemia severity (p = 0.028). Hemolytic anemias, infections, and pancytopenia also contributed to severe presentations.
Conclusion: Nutritional anemia remains the most prevalent and preventable cause of anemia in hospitalized children, strongly linked to poor dietary practices and malnutrition. Enhancing nutrition education, early screening for hemoglobinopathies, and strengthening public health interventions are essential to reduce childhood anemia burden.
Anemia continues to be a major global health concern, particularly affecting children in developing nations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anemia contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age, with nearly 42% estimated to be anemic worldwide [1]. In India, despite ongoing public health initiatives, the prevalence of anemia among young children remains alarmingly high, exceeding 50% in many states [2,3].
The high burden of anemia in children can be attributed to multiple factors, including nutritional deficiencies, recurrent infections, and inherited hematological disorders. Poor dietary practices, late introduction of complementary feeding, and frequent illnesses exacerbate the risk, creating a vicious cycle of malnutrition and impaired immunity [4]. Anemia not only impacts physical growth but also hampers cognitive development and school performance, affecting the overall well-being and future potential of children [5].
Identifying the clinical patterns and hematological characteristics of anemia in hospitalized children can aid in early diagnosis, tailored interventions, and targeted preventive strategies. Understanding the interplay between anemia severity, nutritional status, and infection patterns is crucial for implementing effective public health measures.
Aim To analyze the clinical spectrum and hematological profile of anemia in hospitalized children and to assess its association with age, gender, and nutritional status. Objectives 1. To determine the prevalence and severity distribution of anemia among hospitalized children aged 1 month to 14 years. 2. To evaluate the morphological types and probable etiologies of anemia based on laboratory parameters. 3. To examine the relationship between anemia severity and nutritional status in children, particularly those under five years of age. 4. To identify associated co-morbid conditions, including infections and hematological disorders, contributing to anemia.
Study design and setting
A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in the Pediatric Department of a tertiary care center in Mediciti Institute Of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad . The study included children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and general pediatric ward over a five-month period, from August to December 2024-25.
Study population
Children aged 1 month to 14 years who were found to have anemia at the time of admission were included. Anemia was defined according to WHO age-specific hemoglobin cut-off values.
Inclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria
Data collection
Patient data were retrieved from the hospital records, including demographic details (age and gender), clinical presentation, nutritional assessment, and relevant laboratory investigations. Nutritional status was categorized as severe acute malnutrition (SAM), moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), or well-nourished based on WHO criteria.
Hematological evaluations included hemoglobin concentration, total leukocyte count, differential count, platelet count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), packed cell volume (PCV), red cell distribution width (RDW), reticulocyte count, and peripheral smear examination. Additional specific tests, such as hemoglobin electrophoresis, serum ferritin, iron studies, vitamin B12 levels, and bone marrow examination, were recorded when available.
Data analysis
Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) were used for summarizing categorical and continuous variables. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were employed to explore associations between anemia severity and demographic or nutritional variables. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
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