Introduction: Anemia is a major global health problem, especially in developing countries like India, despite the fact that this problem is largely preventable & easily treatable. It is the commonest disease affecting humankind and is responsible for morbidity and mortality among general population. About 30% or nearly one third of world’s population is suffering from anemia due to various causes.
Materials and Methods: A prospective study over a period of 1 years at Department of Paediatrics, Tertiary Care Teaching Center. The children who were admitted in the hospital with sign of Pallor were selected as per inclusion criteria into the study. An informed consent was taken from parents, detailed history was recorded with particular emphasis on symptoms suggestive of anaemia such as weakness and easy fatiguability, breathlessness on exertion, pica. A thorough clinical examination of every child was done.
Result: 54 (60%) males had anemia while 36 cases (40%) were females. Maximum 14 cases (15.6%) were found within the age group of 1-5 years. Maximum 40 cases (44.4%) of moderate degree of anemia were present. Microcytic Hypochromic anemia with 49 cases (54.4%) was the most common morphological type. Iron deficiency anemia was more prevalent with 38 cases (42.2%) followed by anemia of chronic inflammation/infection with 22 cases (24.4%). Weakness, easy fatiguability, irritability were the most common symptoms presented by 70 cases (77.8%). Pallor was the commonest sign observed in 90 cases (100%).
Conclusion: Nutritional anemia is most common cause of anemia in childhood especially in developing countries which can be prevented by proper nutritional support in growing age. Parents and caregiver need awareness regarding effect and causes of anemia and how to prevent it.
