Assessment of nutritional status in children from eastern Sudan

Malnutrition is a very important risk factor leading illness and death in children worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status and relevant haematological and biochemical parameters in school children. Cross sectional study, was conducted in 120 [70 boys and 50 girls] school going children of 6-7 years of age, for the assessment of their nutritional status. The haemogloblin concentration [Hb%] was measured by equation method, packed cell volume [PCV] was estimated by scale of microhameatocrit reader, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration [MCHC] was calculated. Serum total protein, albumin, iron, total iron binding capacity and transferrin were measured by colorimetric methods. Weight [kg] and height [cm] were measured and body mass index was calculated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version13.0. The mean values for hematological, biochemical and anthropometrical measurements were much below the normal ranges. The anthropometric percentile measured in the children showed malnutrition cases in 32 [26.7%] and malnutrition and underweight in 73 [60.8%] while the body mass index showed underweight in males in 23 [19.2%] and in females 11 [9.2%]. Malnutrition is common in our study population and was seen in 48.3 of children. It was accompanied by anaemia in 60.8 % of children

Anemia in Kassala area Eastern Sudan

The objective of this study was to determine the types and the ways of diagnosis of anemia at Kassala region, Sudan. In this study we examined and investigate 210 patients with anemia. Full blood cell count including peripheral picture, blood film for malaria, urine analysis and stool examination were done for every patient. Bone marrow aspiration was done for patients with splenomegaly with or without pancytopenia and or presence of immature cells in the peripheral blood. Serum iron and serum ferritin, for confirmation of iron deficiency were measured in some patients. Out of all patients, 45[21%] had chronic illness, 42[20%] had history of repeated attacks of malaria and 3[18%] patients had nutritional anemia. Sixty three [30%] patients presented with severe anemia, 32[15%] with mild anemia and 115[55%] with moderate anemia. Eighty patients presented with enlarge spleen. 26 [33%] out of the latter group had features of hypersplenism. Common causes of anemia in this area were chronic illness, followed by nutritional and repeated malaria infection. Splenomegaly and hypersplenism are common. We recommended that full blood count, peripheral blood picture and estimation of serum iron and serum ferritin should be performed for every anaemic patient. Blood film for malaria should be done for every anaemic patient and negative films should be repeated by immunochromatography test for plasmodium falciparum and vivax