PATTERN OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY ROOM AND ITS RELATION TO PROGNOSIS

Abstract

Summary Introduction: Iron deficiency (ID) and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) continue to be of worldwide concern. Among children in the developing world, iron is the most common single-nutrient deficiency. IDA remains a common cause of anemia in young children. In early childhood, bad feeding habits, especially during the weaning period, exacerbate the problem. Aim of work: The aim of the current study was to assess prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among children attending emergency room in pediatric hospital of Ain Shams University and its impact on management and prognosis of the underlying disease. Methodology: This study was conducted on 200 children (114 males and 86 females) with mean of age 1.781±1.245 years, recruited among those attendingemergency room in pediatric hospital of Ain Shams University. Results: Patient age ranged between 0.6-5 years with mean of 1.781± 1.245 years. One hundred and seventy eight (89%) patients were full term, twenty two (11%) were pre term, 58 (29%) had positive consanguinity. 160 (80%) patients were breast fed, 10 (5%) were formula fed and 30 (15%) had mixed feeding. The mean time of starting weaning was 4.716±2.331 months. Results of the current study show that 128 (64%) were anemic of whom 44 (34.37%) had IDA. There was statistically significant higher incidence of low social class in anemic patients (65.4%) compared to non-anemic group (55.5%) (p=0.02). In the current study, Anemia was statistically significant associated with higher order of birth compared to non anemic patients (p=0.001). There was statistically significant higher duration of hospital stay and days for improvement in anemic patients compared to non-anemic group (p=0.000 & 0.02 respectively). The current study show that 60 (66.7%) of patients with pneumonia were anemic. There was statistically significant longer duration for fever to improve in anemic patients compared to non-anemic group (p=0.025). No statistically significant difference regarding duration of hospital stay was detected. There was statistically significant positive correlation between Duration of hospital stay and TIBC. There were statistically significant negative correlation between days of fever improvement and Hb%, MCV, S, iron and statistically significant positive correlation with TIBC. In this current study 28 (46.7%) patients with bronchiolitis were anemic. There was no statistically significant difference between anemic and non anemic patients regarding duration of hospital stay and days of RD improvement in patients with bronchoiolitis. There was statistically significant positive correlation between Duration of hospital stay and TIBC and negative correlation with S.iron. There was statistically significant positive correlation between days to RD improvement and TIBC. This study show that 40 (80%) patients with convulsions were anemic. There was statistically significant longer duration of hospital stay and days of improvement in anemic patients with convulsions compared to non anemic patients (p=0.03 & 0.003 respectively). There was statistically significant positive correlation between Duration of hospital stay and TIBC and negative correlation with S.iron and s.iron. There was statistically significant negative correlation between days of sezuires and Hb% MCV and s.iron and positive correlation between days of seizures improvement and TIBC.