ANEMIA IN CHILDREN AGED 12-59 MONTHS PRESENTING WITH HISTORY OF PICA

Abstract

Background: Anemia, being a major public health problem has affected both developed and underdeveloped countries. Pica is common presentation of iron deficiency anemia.

Objective: To determine the frequency of iron deficiency anemia in children with pica

Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted at RHC Kot Qazi, Tehsil Lawa, District Chakwal, Punjab, and Pediatrics department, Sahara Medical College, Narowal over a 4-month period. After taking ethical approval, sample size of 277 children aged up to 59 months were enrolled. Preschoolers and school going children of either gender coming to outdoor patient department of Rural Health Centre, Kot Qazi and Pediatrics department, Sahara Medical College, Narowal with history of pica were included. Information gathered included duration of pica, substances consumed and perceived as pica, a detailed dietary history inclusive of age at the time of weaning and amount of milk consumed per day. One cc of heparinized blood sample was collected and sent to laboratory for complete blood count.  Data was entered in SPSS and presented as frequency and percentages.

Results: Of the 277 children with history of pica, 153 (55.2%) were male and 124 (44.82%) were females. The overall mean age of the sample was 47.23 ± 6.169 months. Out of 219 children, 76 (35.15 %) were mildly anemic, 99 (45.60%) were moderately anemic, 32 (14.86%) were severely anemic, while 12 (4.39%) were non anemic.  58 (21.48%) patients didn’t show up with their Hb results.

Conclusion: Moderate Iron deficiency anemia is found in pre-school children with history of pica.