Diagnosis and Differentiation of Hypochromic Microcytic Anemia among Elementary School Children in Ranya District

Hypochromic microcytic anemia (HMA) is defined as decreased hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) levels, the most common causes of microcytic anemia in children are iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and thalassemia trait (TT). The cross-sectional study was conducted to diagnose and differentiate HMA among elementary school children in the Ranya district. A total of 134 subjects were included in the study of which 28 participants were healthy, and 106 subjects were diagnosed with HMA. The study subjects were divided into three groups. Group 1 with 28 healthy subjects, Group 2 with 38 IDA patients and Group 3 with 68 TT patients. Complete blood count, iron status (ferritin, serum iron, UIBC, TSAT (%) and TIBC), T3, T4, TSH, Erythropoietin hormone, Creatinine and GFR were estimated in all three groups. The results demonstrated that there was a significant decrease (P < 0.0001) in Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH and MCHC in both IDA and TT patients. While significant increase was seen in RDW and PLT count in both IDA and TT. The result revealed a significant decrease (P < 0.0001) in serum ferritin, serum iron and TSAT (%), whereas a significant increase in TIBC and UIBC in IDA. Serum erythropoietin (EPO) was increased significantly in both IDA and TT. Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), TSH, serum creatinine and GFR were non-significantly changed in both IDA and TT patients.