Investigation of Iron Deficiency Anemia among Infants In Omdurman (albuluk hospital)-Sudan. (August 2008 to August 2011

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is widespread among adults and children particularly those below 5 years of age. Nutritional deficiency predominates. This is a cross sectional study in which 350 blood specimen of anemic children admitted to Omdurman (Albuluk hospital), aged from two months to two years. The samples were collected and analyzed in the period from August 2008 to august 2011. Tests performed in all specimens are the mean + SD of haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cells counts(WBC) ,platelet counts ,reticulocyte counts ,red cell distribution width (RWD), serum iron concentration and serum ferritin concentrations. Parents of these children were also interviewed about nutrition of their children and whether they have symptoms. Results of blood analysis showed significant drop in all age groups in children’s parameters compared with normal values (P value <0.05). Morphology showed microcytic hypochromic and target cells. As for nutrition, 81% had poor nutritional history indicating low income. Other causes of microcytic morphology such as thalassaemia are not completely ruled out and we need to do haemoglobin electrophoreses.