Magnitude and morphological types of anemia differ by age among under five children: A facility-based study

World Health Organization recently acknowledged the proportion of anemia attributable to iron deficiency among under-five children could be lower than the previously assumed 50%. Ethiopia reported 8.6% and 12.3% prevalence of iron deficiency anemia by serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor respectively. However, evidence generated from large samples on the magnitude of different types of anemias is limited. We aimed to determine the prevalence and morphological types of anemia in relation to age.

A retrospective analysis was conducted using electronic records of hemoglobin and red blood cell indices of 4739 children of 6-59 months of age who visited Hawassa University Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital from May 2017 to May 2019. Microcytic hypochromic morphology combined with high red cell distribution width was used to estimate the prevalence of iron deficiency.

About 44.7% of the children were anemic. Anemia affected 6-23 months old children (53.1%) more than 24-59 (37.2%) months (p < 0.001) with no difference among boys and girls. Iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia, as explained by microcytic hypochromic morphology with high red cell distribution width combined model, were estimated to be 38.6% and 24.1%, respectively. About 54% of anemic children had iron deficiency which was higher among 6-23 months (63.5%) than 24-59 months (41.8%) (P < 0.001; X² = 98.883). Regardless of anemia status, iron deficiency was two-fold higher among 6-23 months old children than 24-59 months of age. On the contrary, normocytic normochromic anemia affected significantly 24-59 months old children (23.1%) compared to 6-23 months. Less than 6% of the total anemia was macrocytic showing no significant relation with age. About 96% of macrocytic anemia was coupled with high red cell distribution width, indicating folate and vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.

Microcytic hypochromic anemia with high red cell distribution width was the most prevalent type affecting primarily under two children. Normocytic normochromic anemia was significant among 24-59 months while macrocytic anemia had no age-related pattern. An in-depth study of causes of anemia other than iron deficiency particularly among 24-59 months children is essential.