Anaemia in children with tuberculosis prevalence, type and efficacy of therapy

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work was to study the prevalence, type and outcome of therapy of anemia in children with tuberculosis to form a strategy for intervention. Children from birth to 15 years old were enrolled in the study. There were 152 TB cases, 72 males and 80 females. Before treatment, there were 65 non-anemia cases, 87 total anemia cases, 58 normocytic-normochromic anemia cases and RDW was 10-15% in 66 cases. After treatment, there were 111 non-anemic cases, 41 anemic cases and 27 normocytic-normochromic cases and RDW was 10-15% in 36 cases. Anemia was very common among TB children and was of the normocytic- normochromic type. CBC and RDW must be done for TB cases to detect concomitant iron deficiency anemia. Anti-TB drugs with iron were effective in its corrections