Severę Anaemia in the First Two Years of Life
Abstract
Summary: A retrospective study of severe anacmia in 117 children, aged 1 day to 2 years, admitted to the University College Hospital Ibadan, over a six-month period is reported. The object was to determine the prevalence, clinical features and casuses of severe anaemia in this age group, and to assess the results of our current management. The study has revealed that severe anaemia is a common paediatric emergency. P. falciparum and bacterial infections in sicklers were the leading causative factors. Others included blecding from circumcision wound and umbilical cord, prematurity and malnutrition. The mortality in this small series was 6 per cent. Urgent blood transfusion is the most important life-saving measure coupled with the treatment of infections, and the use of diuretics as an essential supportive measure.
It is suggested that a significant reduction in the incidence of severe anaemia in early childhood can be achieved through effective control of malaria
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