Anemia in among Children Aged 6-59 Months at the Institute of Social Pediatric (ISP) in Dakar Suburban Area

Author(s): Idrissa Demba Ba, Abou Ba, Amadou Sow, Yaay Joor Dieng, Indou Deme Ly, Saliou Diouf, Ousmane Ndiaye

Introduction: Anemia is a public health problem throughout the world with disastrous consequences on the health and cognitive and socio-economic development of populations.

Objective: To study the socio-demographic, health and nutritional aspects of children aged 6-59 months with anemia followed at the pediatric social institute (PSI).

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out at PSI from 1 November 2018 to 20 February 2019. Children aged 6-59 months with anemia were included.

Results: A total of 280 children had anemia among 467 who had a blood count, determining a prevalence of 59.9%. The mean age was 21.34 months 10.82 with a sex ratio of 1.52. Food diversification was started before 4 months (40.7%), between 4 and 5 months (16.1%) and from 6 months (43.2%). Cereals predominated in the diet (66.4%) followed by dairy products (59.6%). The mean hemoglobin level was 9.72±5.12 g/dl. The anemia was mild (48.9%), moderate (48.9%) and severe (2.2%). Microcytic hypochromia was present in 92.1% of the children. Acute malnutrition was present in 9.3% of children.

Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia is high in Senegalese suburban areas. It is most often microcytic hypochromic, most probably reflecting an iron deficiency related to errors in food diversification.