Utility of clinical pallor in pediatric population diagnosed of anemia: an observational study

Abstract

Aim: to assess the utility of clinical pallor in pediatric patients diagnosed of anemia. Material and methods: The present prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric, Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital, Gaya, Bihar, India among 200 anemic children attained the age between 6 months to 5 years. Blood was drawn by venepuncture and hemoglobin estimation was done by cyanmethemoglobin method. Anemia was diagnosed when hemoglobin was less than 11g/dl. Results: anemia is less common among infants aged below 12 months. The moderate anemia was best detected by using palm pallor or pallor of the nail beds (sensitivity 92-95%), while conjunctival pallor was least useful (sensitivity 82%). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that clinical criteria can be used to identify children with anemia of moderate degree who need treatment with iron. Moderate anemia is associated with morbidity that may progress to severe anemia and death unless prevented by treatment with iron.

Keywords: Anemia, Accuracy, Pallor, Infants.