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Screening for childhood anaemia using copper sulphate densitometry
M Funk1, T Hambrock, G C van Niekerk
1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Pretoria Academic Hospital and University of Pretoria.
Insights
Copper sulphate densitometry accurately screens for childhood anaemia in primary care. This method identifies children needing further testing and treatment for low haemoglobin levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood anaemia is a significant public health concern.
- Early screening is crucial for timely intervention and treatment.
- Accurate and accessible screening methods are needed in primary care settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of copper sulphate densitometry for screening childhood anaemia.
- To determine if copper sulphate densitometry can effectively identify children requiring further diagnostic evaluation and treatment for anaemia in a primary care setting.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional screening study was conducted.
- Copper sulphate densitometry (specific gravity 1.048) was compared against laboratory haemoglobin determination.
- The study included 100 children aged 6 months to 6 years.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin < 10 g/dl) was 17%.
- Copper sulphate densitometry demonstrated high sensitivity (88.2%) and specificity (89.2%) for detecting anaemia.
- The negative predictive value was 97.4%, indicating high accuracy in ruling out anaemia.
Conclusions:
- Copper sulphate densitometry is an accurate and reliable method for screening childhood anaemia in primary care.
- This screening tool can effectively identify children who require further diagnostic testing and treatment.
Objective:
To evaluate copper sulphate densitometry to screen for childhood anaemia in a primary care setting, with a view to identifying children requiring definitive diagnostic testing and treatment.
Design:
A cross-sectional screening study. Results of densitometry with a copper sulphate solution of specific gravity (SG) 1.048, corresponding to a haemoglobin (Hb) concentration of 10 g/dl, were compared with laboratory Hb determination.
Setting:
Outpatient department of Pretoria Academic Hospital (73 children) and a local crèche (27 children).
Subjects:
One hundred consecutive children, aged between 6 months and 6 years, with informed written consent by parents.
Outcome Measure(S):
Accuracy of copper sulphate densitometry in screening for Hb concentration below 10 g/dl in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, as well as likelihood ratio.
Results:
The prevalence of anaemia (Hb < 10 g/dl) was 17% (95% confidence interval (CI) 10.2; 25.8). Copper sulphate densitometry had a sensitivity of 88.2% (95% CI 62.3; 97.9), a specificity of 89.2% (95% CI 79.9; 94.6), a positive predictive value of 62.5% (95% CI 40.8; 80.5) and a negative predictive value of 97.4% (95% CI 90.0; 99.5) in screening for anaemia. The likelihood ratio of a positive screening test was 8.17.
Conclusions:
Copper sulphate densitometry was accurate in screening for childhood anaemia.