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Context: Cobalamin and folate are essential for the synthesis of nucleic acids and in the maintenance of myelin. They are required during the period of the rapid growth of infancy and childhood. Their deficiency may result in nutritional anemia and neurological manifestations. There is paucity of literature regarding the prevalence of cobalamin and folate deficiency among North Indian children aged 6–59 months. Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of serum cobalamin and folate deficiency among children aged 6–59 months, attending a secondary care hospital. Settings and Design: Children were recruited from pediatrics OPD of the sub-district hospital (SDH), Ballabgarh, Haryana, through systematic random sampling. Hemoglobin was measured by an automated analyzer. Serum cobalamin and serum folate were estimated using enhanced chemiluminescence based immunoassay. Results: A total of 420 children were recruited, of which 392 provided a blood specimen. Prevalence of cobalamin, folate deficiency, and anemia were 22.3% (95% CI: 18.3–26.7), 10.9% (95% CI: 8.2–14.6), and 81.9% (95% CI 77.7–85.4), respectively. The proportion of children with cobalamin deficiency who had anemia was 97.7% compared to 95.7% among those with no cobalamin deficiency (P = 0.396). Similarly, the proportion of children with folate deficiency who had anemia was 95.2% compared to 96.2% among those with no folate deficiency (P = 0.765). Conclusion: We found that almost one in five children aged 6–59 were deficient in cobalamin, and one in ten were deficient in folate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancytopenia is characterized by decreased hemoglobin (adult males <13 g/dl, pregnant females <10 g/dl, nonpregnant females and children <11 g/dl), total leukocyte count (<4 × 109/L), and platelet count (<100 × 109/L). Depending on the severity, patients can present with varied symptoms. Vast majority of conditions causing pancytopenia are known. Hence, a systematic approach is a mandatory requirement to identify the cause of pancytopenia for appropriate management. Aim: Clinicopathological study of new onset pancytopenia and to determine the frequency of different etiologies causing pancytopenia. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of 451 consecutive cases who had pancytopenia and presented in outpatient or emergency room of a tertiary care center of Western India, from July 2017 to September 2019. The clinical data of the patients were obtained and hematological investigations were analyzed in the hematopathology section of the pathology department. Bone marrow (BM) aspirates and biopsies were performed in 355 cases. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Patients age ranged from 6 months to 84 years with mean standard deviation of 45.89 ± 19.21 years. Overall male to female ratio was 1.87:1. Hematolymphoid malignancy was the most common cause (n = 137, 30.37%) followed by nutritional anemia (n = 97, 21.5%), infections (n = 68, 15.07%), BM failure (n = 66, 14.63%), hypersplenism (n = 55, 12.19%), and autoimmune disorder (n = 11, 2.44%). Conclusion: Pancytopenia is a common hematological entity with the multifactorial etiologies. It can present as a life-threatening condition or can be merely transient. Hematolymphoid malignancy was found to be the most common underlying cause in our study. An accurate etiological break will further assist in appropriate management of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The prevalence of iron deficiency, latent and symptomatic, is heterogeneous worldwide. In this study, we aim to explore the prevalence of iron deficiency, with and without anemia, among medical college females at the high Altitude Aseer region of Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Methodology: 200 female medical students were randomly sampled, between the ages of 19 and 27 years. Blood samples were collected for complete blood count (CBC) values and serum ferritin determination. Questionnaires were completed in order to collect demographics, medical history, and socioeconomic information of the participants. Results: Prevalence of overall iron deficiency was high (63%, serum ferritin <20 μg/L, 52.5%, ferritin <15 μg/L). Anemia, adjusted for high altitude (defined as less than 13 g/dL was present in 41 participants (20.5%) and 12 (6.5%) have Hb <12 g/dL. Iron-deficiency anemia (Hb <13 g/dL and serum ferritin <15 μg/L) was present in 35 (17.5%). Personal and family history of anemia and poor animal product containing meals were positively correlated with the presence of iron deficiency state. Neither symptoms of anemia, nor the presence of menorrhagia correlate with the presence of iron deficiency anemia. Conclusion: Iron deficiency with and without anemia is a very common and condition in young females' population at high altitude. Implementing a lab method to screen for anemia on vulnerable populations is needed. Frequently asymptomatic, the primary care providers should maintain a high degree of suspicion in order to initiate screening for iron status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Anemia is a global public health problem affecting both developing and developed countries. According to the World Health Organization, the highest number of individuals affected by anemia is observed in nonpregnant women aged 15–49.99 years. Though nutritional anemia can affect any age group, female medical students form a vulnerable population due to their hectic schedules, erratic mealtimes, and long working hours while staying in hostel for majority of times. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the prevalence and awareness of anemia among the apparently healthy female students studying at a health institute. Methods: A cross-sectional study is conducted among 300 female students studying at a health institute in western Maharashtra after their written informed consent. A structured questionnaire elicits their general information, the knowledge about signs and symptoms of anemia, and dietary habits. Basal metabolic index and hemoglobin using the spectroscopy method are estimated for each participant. Results: Anemia prevalence in our population is 86 (28.6%). Based upon the severity of anemia, about 54 (18%) has mild anemia and 32 (10.6%) has moderate anemia. No case of severe anemia is noted in our study sample. Conclusion: The findings of the study highlight that anemia can affect even medical female students who are a vulnerable group unexpectedly suffering from nutritional deficiencies. Thus, this study highlights the need for interventional programs at primary health-care systems and colleges for improvement in the nutritional status of anemic students to reduce its complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines how severe chronic anemia could lead to growth retardation, as well as long-term negative effects on the cognitive, motor, and affective development of children and adolescents. It also notes that defective secretion of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) has been identified as one of key mechanisms of delayed growth in iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). It also advises endocrinologists that routine iron supplementation has no significant impact on linear growth in children.