Anemia in Kassala area Eastern Sudan

ABSTRACT

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