Frequency, Types, and Risk Factors of Anemia in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease patients are prone to be anemic at diagnosis and follow-up. As it is a common extra-intestinal manifestation, its early identification and treatment are essential. We aimed to evaluate the frequency, types, and predictors of anemia and its treatment in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients. Methods: The electronic records of pediatric IBD patients who attended our outpatient clinics between 1 April 2018 and 01 May 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients who had the results of hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, iron indices, vitamin B12 level, folic acid level, reticulocyte count, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate at least once on a single day were included in the study. Laboratory results associated with anemia and disease activity index scores at three- and six-months follow-ups were recorded. Anemia was diagnosed according to WHO criteria in childhood. Anemia, risk factors, and management of anemia were determined. Results: Forty patients were included in the study. At first evaluation, anemia was observed in 38.1% of Crohn’s disease patients and 57.9% of ulcerative colitis patients. Iron deficiency anemia was the main type of anemia in both groups. The rate of anemia decreased at follow-up. Out of 40 patients, 21 had treatment at the initial evaluation. Active disease was the only predictor of iron deficiency anemia. Conclusion: Anemia was common in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients, ranging between 25-47.5% during the 6-month follow-up in our study. Iron deficiency anemia was the main type of anemia. Having active disease was the only risk factor for anemia. The treatment of anemia and iron deficiency without anemia should be kept in mind in parallel with anti-inflammatory treatment.