Objective:
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common disease of childhood encountered in pediatric clinics. Its diagnosis and treatment are quite important in childhood when the growth and development are fast and the requirements are increased. In this study, our objective was to investigate the incidence of iron deficiency anemia, which might be overlooked in children hospitalized in the pediatric clinic.
Methods:
The incidence was prospectively determined with the help of whole blood count, which was evaluated according to the age of patients. The hemoglobin, iron and MCV
levels of patients were evaluated and low levels according to the age and increased iron-binding capacity were considered as significant regarding IDA. The Mentzer index was used
for differential diagnosis. Since ferritin is also an acute-phase reactant, it is taken into consideration as an adjuvant parameter for the diagnosis. The patients with iron deficiency
anemia were determined while other anemia causes were excluded.
Results:
A total of 103 patients 40 females (38.8%) and 63 males (61.2%), who were hospitalized between January 2018 and April 2018 in the Pediatric Clinic of Bahçelievler State Hospital, were included in the study. The ages of children were between 1 and 166 months with an average of 24.2±34.7 months. A total of 17 patients (16.5%) were diagnosed with IDA considering the low hemoglobin, iron and MCV levels and increased iron-binding capacity.
Conclusion:
Iron deficiency anemia is still an important health problem for our country. The nutrition should be properly regulated and the importance of the education of mothers should be emphasized in the 0-14 age group, in which there are rapid growth and development and the requirements are increased. Patients hospitalized for any reason should be evaluated for anemia and iron replacement therapy should be initiated in cases diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia.
Keywords: Iron deficiency anemia, pediatrics, child