Anemia among under five years of age suffering from malnutrition in Sana’a city, Yemen

Background: Anemia, a condition characterized by low red blood cell count or hemoglobin levels, is a significant public health issue, particularly among undernourished children under five years of age. Anemia is a significant public health problem in many low- and middle-income countries, with young children being especially vulnerable. In almost every nation on Earth, a sizable portion of the populace suffers from anemia. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and identify other blood parameters among children under five years suffering from malnutrition. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 50 children from Sana’a city suffering from malnutrition from 1st of October 2023 until the end of February 2024. Data on socio-demographic, dietary, blood samples for hemoglobin level, and other blood markers were collected and then tested by automated methods. Results: The study included 36% males and 64% females, with a mean age of 11.8 months and a range of 1-60 months. The mean RBC count was 4.2 cells x 106/μl with a SD of 0.72 and ranged from 2.6 to 5.5 cells x 106/μl. The mean WBC count was 10.3 cells x 109/L with an SD of 4.3 and ranged from 2.8 to 24 cells x 109/L. The mean hemoglobin level was 10.4 mg/dL and ranged from 6.2 to 12.9 mg/dL. (<11.1 mg/dL) was reported in 54% of all malnourished children. Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia in children under five years is a pressing public health issue that necessitates urgent attention in the study area. The most important predictors are suboptimal child feeding practices, food insecurity, and a poor diet. Multi-sectoral efforts are needed to improve health, and interventions targeting nutritional security are recommended.