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Category: Volume 06 Issue 07 July 2018
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Title: Anemia as a Risk Factor for Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Children of 6 Months to 5 Years of Age

Authors: Dr Kuldeep Singh Rajpoot, Dr Lakhan Poswal, Dr Chakshu Chaudhary

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i7.104

Abstract

Background: Acute lower respiratory tract infections associated with anemia occur more commonly in children than in adults. But anemia due to whatever aetiology per se, as a risk factor for developing ALRTI, has not been fully evaluated. Hence this observational case control study shall be conducted for assessing anemia, as a risk factor for developing ALRTI in children.

Material & Methods: An observational case control study done on 270 with acute lower respiratory tract infection admitted in Pacific Institute of Medical Sciences, Udaipur were included in the study group and 270 age and sex-matched children selected on outpatient basis were included under the control group. The primary outcome was comparing the presence or absence of anemia in cases of acute lower respiratory tract infection and healthy control group. Secondary outcome were correlated the severity of anemia with severity of respiratory tract infection, if any.

Results: Our study showed that the age distribution of 270 cases and 270 controls, maximum children that is 41.85% were in the age group of 9 to 23 months. Male preponderance was found in our study (1.4:1). 184 (68.14%) out of 270 cases in the study group were found anemic while only 97 (35.92%) out of 270 control group were found anemic. For lower respiratory tract infection anemia looks like a significant risk factor with p value < 0.001 and odds ratio of 3.49.

Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia is a significant risk factor for Lower Respiratory Tract Infection. Prevention and early diagnosis of anemia is important to reduce the prevalence of LRTI.

Keywords: ALRTI, Iron deficiency anemia, Hemoglobin, Risk factors.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Lakhan Poswal

Senior Professor, Dept. of Pediatrics, RNT Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India