A study of screening for anemia in 9 month old infants in well baby clinic

ABSTRACT

Iron deficiency remains the most common cause of anemia in infants and chidren despite increasing availability of iron-fortified foods. We screened out anemia in 9-month old infants in well baby clinic to know the prevalence of anemia and the weaning status. The results were as follows 1) Among 345 infants screened, 24 infants (7%) were found to have anemia. 2) The kind of anemia was microcytosis and 7 infants (2.2%) revealed hypochromia. 3) Among the remaining 311 non-anemic infants, 6 infants (1.9%) revealed microcytosis and 7 infants (2.2%) revealed hypochromia. 4) In anemic group the mean hemoglobin concentration was 8.75+/-1.03gm/dl, hematocrit was 27. 73+/-3.11%, MCV was 65.84+/-8.21 fL, MCHwas 20.95+/-2.93 pg and MCHC was 31.34+/-1.89 gm/dl. 5) In 9 anemic infants, weaning was delayed until 9 months of age.