Analysis of anemia among children under 5 years old in Shanghai and Tibet / 中国医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To compare the complete blood count of children under 5 years old in outpatient department of pediatrics in general hospitals in Shanghai and Shigatse, and to explore the incidence and risk factors of anemia among children in different regions.Methods:Complete blood count of 19 863 children in outpatient department of pediatrics of Shanghai Ninth People′s Hospital in 2018 and 2 476 children in outpatient department of pediatrics of Shigatse People′s Hospital in 2018 were retrieved. The value of haemoglobin (HB), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were analyzed. The types, incidence and degree of anemia in different regions were compared. The information during pregnancies, supplementary foods, residence and educational level of mothers of anemic children in Shigatse area and Shanghai were collected.Results:The incidence of nutritional anemia in Tibetan children was higher than that in Shanghai, with mild to moderate anemia predominating in Tibetan area and mild anemia predominating in Shanghai. The incidence of anemia in Shigatse area was 41.32% (1 023/2 476), which was higher than that in Shanghai [14.35%(2 852/1 9 863)], and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) .The incidence of mild anemia was 84.65% (866/1 023) in Shigatse and 94.81% (2 704/2 852) in Shanghai, with statistically significant difference ( P< 0.01). The incidence of moderate anemia in Shigatse was 14.08% (144/1 023) higher than that in Shanghai 5.05% (144/2 852), with statistically significant difference ( P<0.01). The incidence of severe anemia in Shigatse was 1.27% (13/1 023) higher than that in Shanghai 0.14% (4/2 852), with statistically significant difference ( P<0.01). Through the analysis of the questionnaires, being from pastoral areas, low educational level of mothers, poor nutrition during pregnancy, premature delivery, pure breastfeeding irregular maternity examinations and unreasonable supplementary food were related to nutritional anemia in ≤1 year-old babies. Conclusions:Nutritional iron deficiency anemia in the main type of anemia among children in both areas. Compared with Shanghai, the incidence of anemia of children in Tibet was higher, which may be caused by different feeding habits, cultural level and economic income between different regions. It is imperative to establish and improve the management of pregnant and lying-in women in Tibet, and provide scientific feeding and healthy lifestyle.