Risk Factors and Clinical Profile of Nutritional Anemia in Children at a Tertiary Care Center of Western Uttar Pradesh, India

Background Little is known about the burden and clinical characteristics of children with nutritional anemia in the population of westernUttar Pradesh. This research was conducted to assess the risk factors and clinical profile of nutritional anemia in children admitted at a tertiary care center in western Uttar Pradesh, India. Materials and methods This hospital based cross-sectional study involved 220 subjects aged 6 months to 12 year presenting with anemia (nutritional) as per WHO definition at our center. Structured questionnaires were used to collect socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the family and child. Blood samples were collected for estimation of hemoglobin, serum iron, B12 and folate levels. Univariate and Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results In our study, the majority of subjects were having moderate anemia (53.64%) followed by severe form (25.46%). Iron deficiency was found in 67.27% of the subjects. Pallor was found to be the commonest sign (71.36%) followed by tachycardia (27.27%). Majority of subjects reported microcytic hypochromic anemia (74.54%) followed by macrocytic anemia. On multiple regression: younger age, higher birth order, lower SES, poor nutritional status and lower serum iron, B12 and folate concentration were significantly associated with moderate to severe nutritional anemia. Conclusion: In northern India, nutritional anemia still poses a significant problem not only among younger children but also among older ones. Iron deficiency continues to be the primary cause of this condition, however, B12 and folate deficiencies also have substantial contributions.