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Anemia in severe acute malnutrition

Neha Thakur1, Jagdish Chandra1, Harish Pemde1

  • 1Lady Hardinge Medical College, Department of Pediatrics, New Delhi, India.

Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)
|December 17, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Indian children often co-occurs with severe anemia, frequently requiring blood transfusions. Nutritional deficiencies, including iron and vitamin B12, are common causes, necessitating targeted supplementation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Hematology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • India faces the highest prevalence of severe acute malnutrition (SAM).
  • Severe anemia is a critical, under-recognized comorbidity increasing mortality in SAM children.
  • Understanding anemia's prevalence and causes in SAM is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and types of anemia in children with SAM.
  • To investigate potential etiologies of severe anemia in this vulnerable population.
  • To inform clinical management and public health strategies for SAM and anemia.

Main Methods:

  • A 12-month cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital in North India.
  • Inclusion criteria: patients aged 6-59 months with SAM.
  • Data collected: severe anemia prevalence (Hb < 7 g/dL), anemia morphology, transfusion needs, maternal hematology, feeding practices.

Main Results:

  • 67.3% of SAM patients exhibited severe anemia; 13.8% had moderate anemia.
  • A significant 25% of SAM patients required packed red blood cell transfusion.
  • Microcytic anemia (38.6%) was most prevalent, followed closely by megaloblastic anemia (30.5%).

Conclusions:

  • High rates of severe anemia and transfusion requirements highlight nutritional anemia as a common SAM comorbidity.
  • The prevalence of megaloblastic anemia suggests a need for Vitamin B12 supplementation alongside iron and folic acid.
  • Early detection and management of anemia are vital for improving outcomes in children with SAM.
Abstract

Keywords:
AnemiaSevere acute malnutrition

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