Epidemiology:
Childhood anaemia poses a major public health issue leading to an increased risk of child mortality and morbidity, as well as the negative consequences of iron-deficiency anaemia on cognitive and physical development.
At its special session on children in 2003, the United Nations General Assembly set a goal to reduce the prevalence of anaemia by one-third by 2010. Despite this, the incidence of anaemia in children aged under 5 between 1990-2010 has actually increased
The World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested levels of Hb below which anaemia is said to be present.
The likely cause of childhood anaemia varies depending on the area of the world that the child lives in. Overall, iron deficiency is the most common cause of …show more content…
Shortness of breath.
Abdominal pain
Failure to thrive.
In children, the growth rate may be slowed, and a decreased capability to learn is reported. In young children, severe iron deficiency anaemia is associated with a lower intelligence quotient (IQ), a diminished capability to learn, and a suboptimal growth rate.
Diagnosis
Useful tests include the following:
Complete blood count
Peripheral blood smear
Serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and serum ferritin
Diagnostic tests are carried out on the recommendation of your Primary Physician.
Treatment and Prognosis:
Unless severe, most cases of Anemia can be treated by oral administration of Iron. This is to be done by the Primary Physician, for optimal dosing and adequate monitoring, and to prevent Iron Overload.
Iron deficiency anaemia is an easily treated disorder with an excellent outcome. But, due to the insidious nature of the disease, and its effects on Growth, intelligence, performance in schools, learning ability and overall health, it is of paramount importance to screen schoolchildren for IDA and to treat the affected children promptly and
Childhood anaemia poses a major public health issue leading to an increased risk of child mortality and morbidity, as well as the negative consequences of iron-deficiency anaemia on cognitive and physical development.
At its special session on children in 2003, the United Nations General Assembly set a goal to reduce the prevalence of anaemia by one-third by 2010. Despite this, the incidence of anaemia in children aged under 5 between 1990-2010 has actually increased
The World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested levels of Hb below which anaemia is said to be present.
The likely cause of childhood anaemia varies depending on the area of the world that the child lives in. Overall, iron deficiency is the most common cause of …show more content…
Shortness of breath.
Abdominal pain
Failure to thrive.
In children, the growth rate may be slowed, and a decreased capability to learn is reported. In young children, severe iron deficiency anaemia is associated with a lower intelligence quotient (IQ), a diminished capability to learn, and a suboptimal growth rate.
Diagnosis
Useful tests include the following:
Complete blood count
Peripheral blood smear
Serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and serum ferritin
Diagnostic tests are carried out on the recommendation of your Primary Physician.
Treatment and Prognosis:
Unless severe, most cases of Anemia can be treated by oral administration of Iron. This is to be done by the Primary Physician, for optimal dosing and adequate monitoring, and to prevent Iron Overload.
Iron deficiency anaemia is an easily treated disorder with an excellent outcome. But, due to the insidious nature of the disease, and its effects on Growth, intelligence, performance in schools, learning ability and overall health, it is of paramount importance to screen schoolchildren for IDA and to treat the affected children promptly and