Anemia in early life (up to the age of 6 months) – Is it really a disease burden?A cross sectional study from Sub Himalayan region Anemia in early life
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Abstract
Background: The study aims to settle the question of giving prophylactic iron to all breastfed infants (up to age of 6 months). It will determine the disease burden & clinicopathologial profile of anemia in infants up to 6 months and its correlation with maternal Hb levels.
Materials and Methods : A hospital based cross-sectional study was undertaken for four months in all infants up to 6 months of age and their mothers getting admitted in pediatrics ward of tertiary health care centre in Sub-Himalayan region.
Results: 42 % of infants and 64 % of mothers were found to be anemic. It was found that mothers of 74% of total anemic infants were also anemic. Also in 79% cases mothers with good ferritin stores (≥12ng/ml) also have infants with good ferritin stores (≥10 ng/ml). It was found that mothers who have not consumed adequate amount of iron in their pregnancy, 44% of them have anemic infants. Though the relationship between infant and maternal parameters is not statistically significant but the figures are large enough ,indicating the need for a further comprehensive study to determine the relationship between the two.
Conclusion: High rates of anemia in early life points to the need of multicentric as well as population based study so that we can collect evidence to start iron prophylaxis in this highly vulnerable developing age group of 0 to 6 months. Further higher rates of anemia in mothers warrants the strengthening in the implementation plan of IFAS to all females of reproductive age group.
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