Background of the study- Anaemia is a common problem woridwide ,specially in the developing countries and amidst rural population. Microcytic hypochromic anemia is more prevalent clinicopathological subtype which is found in our day to day practice. In our study we have a humble effort to find out the major etiological factors behind this microcytic hypochromic anemia in a hospital based study on rural and urban Bengal.

Aims and Objective- To find out the major etiological factor behind the microcytic hypochromic anemia with the help of complete blood count with RBC indices, iron profile ( serum iron, serum ferritine and total iron binding capacity) and HPLC

Materials and Method- This hospital based cross sectional observational study was done on newly diagnosed cases anaemia in all age group except neonate. In each case CBC with RBC indices and RDW was measured by Automated cell counter ( SYSMEX KX21), serum iron profile was done by ELISA mehod and HPLC was done in  BIORAD VARIANT-II. All results were analysed .

Results and Analysis- Total 150 cases of microcytic hypochromic anemia were selected on the basis of above parameters and grouped as Group-1 ( iron deficiency anemia-IDA) cases 90 ( 60%), Group-2 ( anaemia on chronic disease-ACD ) cases 31 ( 21%) and Group-3 ( thalassaemia) cases 29 (19% ). Distribution of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) predominantly (84%)  was seen in female and in reproductive age (31-40 yrs) and in pre or post menopausal women (41-50 yrs). In Group-2 most of the cases of ACD was found in the elderiy age group who were suffering from various type of chronic illness. These age groups are mainly above 50 yrs and male predominant (74%). In Group-3, thalassemia group majority (55%) of the cases were from male children and found in age group of. 6-10 yrs .

Conclusion- Iron deficiency anemia comprises the major cause of microcytic hypochromic anemia in a study of both rural and urban population of Bengal.

Keywords: Microcytic Hypochromic anaemia, CBC, iron profile, HPLC.