Abstract:
Background: Anemia is very common in severe acute malnutrition and multifactorial. It
contributes for case fatality of severe acute malnutrition. But, the prevalence and types of anemia
in malnourished children is not well established in the study area.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and morphologic pattern of anemia in children with
severe acute malnutrition, admitted to Jimma University Specialized Hospital.
Methods and materials: A cross-sectional study was employed among children aged 6-60
months with severe acute malnutrition (WFH<70% or MUAC<11cm and/or bilateral pitting
edema) treated in Jimma University Specialized Hospital during May-July, 2014. Weight, height
and mid-upper arm circumference were measured using digital weighing machine, measuring
board and tape meter, respectively, and then compared and interpreted using NCHS and WHO
growth curves. Additionally, complete blood count by automation method and peripheral red
blood cell morphology microscopically using Wright staining procedure were determined on
admission and haematocrit by microhematocrit procedure. The data were double entered using
EpiData 3.1 & analysed by SPSS 16.0. One sample t-test for continues variables, Chi square for
categorical variables and multinomial logistic regression were used to adjust confounders and
check significance.
Results: Fifty-two children, with median and IQR age, (19 months & 9-26 months) and 34
(65.4%) males, were included. Anemia(Hgb<11.0 g/dl) was found in 32 (61.5%) of the patients
on admission. The commonest type of anemia on peripheral blood film was normocytic 18
(67.0%) and hypochromicity accounts for 34 (74%) of the patients. There was no difference inII
the occurrence of anemia between edematous & non-edematous children at base line (61.5%vs
38.5%, p=0.16).
Conclusion: Anemia is highly prevalent in severely malnourished under-five children admitted
to Jimma University Specialized hospital. Normocytic anemia is the predominant type. Most of
anemic patients have hypochromic red blood cells. Similar studies are recommended as the
present study is based on small sample size.
