ABSTRACT
Abstracts: Background: Anaemia or anaemia is usually defined as a decrease in the amount of red blood cells (RBCs) or the amount of haemoglobin in the blood.1,2 It can also be defined as a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen. There are three main types of anaemia; due to blood loss, due to decreased red blood cell production, and due to increased red blood cell breakdown. Methodology: The material for this study was obtained from children aged 6 months to 12 years. These were the children who either attended outpatient department or were those who were admitted to paediatrics ward of our hospital. Haemoglobin percentage was estimated in all cases diagnosed clinically as anaemic. Those, whose haemoglobin level was below 10gm percent, were taken to be anaemic for the purpose of the study. Results: The incidence of anaemia was high in children below 3 years of age. The maximum incidence was between 1-3 years. In older children anaemia was less frequently seen. The mean haemoglobin values were higher in younger children as compared to older children, the difference however, was not very significant (0.4gm%). Conclusion: Primary prevention of Iron deficiency Anaemia is recommended; the role of secondary prevention through screening programs remains inconclusive but recommended by some professional organizations. Treatment of children identified with IDA includes both dietary counselling and oral iron supplementation.