Erythrocyte Microcytosis And Possible Early Detection Of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Background: Iron deficiency anemia in children is an important problem worldwide, estimated to affect 43% of the world’s children. A study in the US quoted prevalence figures for iron deficiency of 9% for toddlers aged 1-2 years, 7% for older prepubescent children, 9-11% for adolescent females and 1% for adolescent males.Objective: Our study is to assess presence of erythrocyte microcytosis for early detection of iron deficiency anemia among children in Sawada Prep. School (Faqous).Subjects and Methods: Our study was done on 100 student in Swada Preparatory School – Faqus – Sharqia Governorate (14-15 years old) . The sample(two classes) was chosen randomly from seconed and third stages(one class from each stage) after the consent of school and Swada Healthy Unit in 2010-2011 . They were subdivided into three groups: Group (A): comprised 31 IDA child , their age ranged between (14-15) and with mean =14.3 ± 0.5. Group (B): comprised 12 child with microcytosis.Their age ranged between (14-15) and with mean =14.6 ± 0.5. Group (C): comprised 10 apparently normal control children with normal CBC,their age ranged between (14-15) and with mean =14.5 ± 0.5. All children were subjected to through clinical history, growth parameters measurements (weight & height) and full clinical examinations.Results: from the statistical analysis of the data collected, the following results were obtained: Highly statistically significant difference between the three groups as regard anorexia and pallor. Highly statistically significant difference between the three groups as regard haemoglobin(%), red blood cells(count), white blood cells(count),mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin & red distribution width .Conclusions: from this study,we conclude that,each child proved by complete blood count to be with low mean corpuscular volume should be undergo iron studies (serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation). This allows early detection of iron deficiency anemia for early treatment if possible to avoid its complications .