Prevalence, Causes, and Characteristics of Anemia in Children Aged 6 to 59 Months at Ebolowa Regional Hospital Center

Introduction: Anemia is a silent and neglected endemic in children. The aim of this study was to determine its prevalence, causes, and characteristics in children aged 6 to 59 months hospitalized at the Ebolowa Regional Hospital Center. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from January 01 to December 31, 2023. All patients aged 6 to 59 months hospitalized during the study period and who had undergone a complete blood count (CBC) were included. Patients who had being blood transfused 3 months prior to the study and patients with sickle cell disease were excluded. Data were collected using a standardized form for data collection from patients’ medical records. The variables studied were sociodemographic data, clinical data, CBC data. Results: A total of 493 patients were admitted during the study period, and 101 had anemia, representing a prevalence of 20.5%. The most represented age group was 24 - 59 months, with 64.36% of cases. Males predominated, accounting for 56% of cases. Fever was the main reason for consultation, accounting for 72% of cases. Among children presenting with anemia, 27% had severe anemia, 34% moderate and 40% mild. Microcytic anemia was present in 67.1% of cases, and malaria was the main cause in 64.7%. Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia remains high in the preschool age group. Malaria was the most common cause of anemia.