Keywords
CHILDREN AGED 1 TO 5 YEARS
TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN PAKISTAN
How to Cite
Abstract
Background:
Anemia remains a prevalent pediatric health issue, particularly in developing countries where nutritional deficiencies and inadequate healthcare access contribute significantly. In early childhood, anemia adversely affects growth, immunity, and neurodevelopment. Objective: To determine the prevalence and severity of anemia among children aged 1 to 5 years presenting to the pediatric outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over six months (February–July 2024) at Punjab Rangers Hospital, Lahore. A total of 375 children aged 1–5 years were enrolled using consecutive non-probability sampling. Children with chronic illness, hematological disorders, or recent cytotoxic treatment were excluded. Hemoglobin levels were measured and classified according to WHO criteria into mild (10–11 g/dL), moderate (8–10 g/dL), and severe (<8 g/dL). Data were analyzed using SPSS v20, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results:
The mean age of participants was 3.06 ± 1.45 years. The overall mean hemoglobin level was 10.89 ± 1.97 g/dL. Of the 375 children, 208 (55.5%) were found to be anemic. Among the anemic cases, 71 (34.1%) had mild anemia, 106 (51.0%) had moderate anemia, and 31 (14.9%) had severe anemia. Females comprised a slightly higher proportion of the anemic group (56.3%), although no statistically significant difference was observed in the prevalence or severity of anemia when stratified by gender (p = 0.840) or age group (p = 0.649). Conclusion: Anemia affects more than half of children aged 1 to 5 years in this cohort, with moderate anemia being the most prevalent form. These findings highlight a substantial burden of anemia in early childhood and underscore the need for routine screening, nutritional education, and targeted interventions to address pediatric anemia at the community and policy levels.