IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN CHILDREN WITH WORM INFESTATION.

.JPUMHS;2024:14:01,115- 120. http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2024/14.01.504

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intestinal worm infestations are common in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in
areas marked by poverty and inadequate sanitation. Intestinal worms affecting around two billion people, consists
of soil-transmitted helminth infections. The primary species responsible for these infections include Ascaris
lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Necator americanus/Ancylostoma duodenal. OBJECTIVE: To determine
the frequency of iron deficiency anemia in children with worm infestation. METHODS: This cross-sectional
study was conducted in department of Pediatrics, Mardan Medical Complex, Medical Teaching Institution,
Mardan. This study was conducted from 1st November 2021 to 1st April 2022. A total of 133 children of both
gender with worm infestation were included in the study. Collected a blood sample and shipped to laboratory to
look for iron deficiency anemia set per one of the criteria of iron deficiency anemia. RESULTS: Age range in
this study was from 1 to 12 years with mean age of 3.985±1.77 years, mean weight was 13.090±3.16 Kg and mean
duration of complain was 3.052±1.35 months. Male patients were 68.4% and females were 31.6%. Iron deficiency
anemia was observed in 20.3% patients. CONCLUSION: To conclude, Iron deficiency anemia was observed in
20.3% children with worm infestation. This has to be addressed since parasite infections may harm children's lives
in more ways than simply anemia and can set the stage for other illnesses as well. To halt the emergence and
spread of such diseases, parents and educators should work together to encourage children to practice preventive
and sanitary practices.