A Cross-sectional Study of Iron Deficiency Anemia and Hemoglobinopathy Carriers among School Children in Two Different Cities in KSA

Abstract

Aim: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common cause of anemia in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD) are major concerns in several nations, including KSA. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of IDA, sickle cell trait (SCT), and B thalassemia trait (BTT) among school children in Al-Khobar and Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A multistage random sample of 570 school children aged 12–18 years from both cities were educated about these illnesses and tested for CBC, serum iron, TIBC, reticulocytosis, and sickling. In some circumstances, hemoglobin electrophoresis and HPLC were used. Results: Overall, 13% of people had IDA, 3.2 percent had SCT, and 2.5 percent had BTT. The hematological parameters of students with IDA and BTT differed significantly from those of normal students in each city, but not between normal students and those with SCT. There were no significant differences between the sexes for all blood parameters except iron and TIBC. Conclusion: Strengthening public health education, dietary initiatives, and school-based hemoglobinopathy carrier screening is proposed to help detect anemia early.