Prevalence and Evaluation of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Anemic Hospitalized Patients in Osogbo, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction Iron deficiency is the most prevalent cause of nutritional anemia worldwide. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body has insufficient iron to support red blood cell production. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and to assess hematological indices with iron status in the affected patients. Methodology One hundred clinically sever anemic patients with hemoglobin concentration level less than 80 g/L recently un-transfused at least one month to this study of both sex between age 0 and 65 years were selected for the study from Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo and Asubiaro State Hospital, Osogbo. Hematological indices were analyzed using automated machine (Humacount); hemoglobin electrophoresis was determined using alkaline globin chain; serum iron and serum ferritin were also analyzed using advanced atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results Out of 100 anemic patients, 40 were male and 60 were female; age group 0-15 years and 16-30 years had anemic prevalence of 30 and 38 respectively. 73 out of 100 anemic patients had iron deficient anemia; 24 (32.9%) were male and 49 (67.1%) were female. Conclusion Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia worldwide. This study showed that, iron deficiency anemia was common in both children and female of child bearing age and iron status in anemic patients with hemoglobinopaties were adequate.