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Updated: Sep 9, 2026

A Point-of-Care Method with Integrated Decision Support Tool to Estimate Anemia at Population Level
Published on: January 19, 2024
Decreased Anemia Rates in a Pediatric Clinic in Consuelo, a Rural Community in the Dominican Republic
Marissa K Olson1,2, Sarah A MacLean1,3, Ramona Cordero4
1Global Health Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Objectives:
To evaluate rates of screening, diagnosis, and treatment of anemia in children in Consuelo, Dominican Republic after implementation of quality improvement measures. Introduction: The Niños Primeros en Salud clinic addresses childhood iron deficiency anemia by: screening hemoglobin (Hb) levels, providing iron therapy (IT), and discussing nutrition. In 2015, 30% of children were screened, and rates were 90%, with 51% receiving IT.
Methods:
We reviewed medical records for children ages 6-15 months with at least one clinic visit from 2022-2024.
Results:
Of 308 patients, 176 (57%) had a Hb result. 68 (39%) had anemia. Males had a higher rate than females. Of children diagnosed, 45/68 (66%) received IT. Although screening increased, over 1/3 of children were unscreened. Among those screened, rates decreased to 39%. In children diagnosed, IT initiation increased to 63%.
Conclusions:
Despite improvements, there is room for additional progress in anemia screening and treatment.
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