CLINICAL AND LABORATORY CHARACTERISTICS OF MICROCYTIC HYPOCHROMIC ANEMIA IN CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE AT Children’s Hospital 1
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Abstract
Background: Microcytic hypochromic anemia is a common type of anemia in children under five years of age. Iron deficiency anemia is the most frequent cause; however, Thalassemia and anemia related to chronic inflammation or chronic diseases should also be considered in the differential diagnosis. At Children’s Hospital 1, data describing the clinical and laboratory characteristics of this condition remain limited.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of microcytic hypochromic anemia among hospitalized children aged 6 months to under 5 years, and to identify the etiologies as well as describe the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of the different causes in the study population.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 170 hospitalized children aged 6 months to 5 years at Children’s Hospital 1 from December 2025 to March 2026.
Results: Among the 170 children included in the study, 75 cases of anemia were identified (33.3%). Among these, 48 cases were microcytic hypochromic anemia, accounting for 64% of all anemia cases. Iron deficiency anemia was the most common cause (62.5%), followed by Thalassemia (12.5%), anemia of chronic disease (10.4%), and other causes (14.6%). More than half of the cases had severe anemia (54.2%). Pallor was the most common clinical manifestation. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were more frequently observed in non–iron deficiency anemia groups (p < 0.05). The role of the mother as the primary caregiver differed significantly among etiological groups (p = 0.014). Hematological and iron metabolism parameters, including Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, ferritin, and serum iron, showed significant differences among etiological groups.
Conclusions: Microcytic hypochromic anemia accounts for a relatively high proportion of anemia among hospitalized children aged 6 months to 5 years, with iron deficiency anemia being the predominant cause. Clinical features combined with hematological investigations are valuable in guiding the etiological diagnosis of anemia.
Keywords
Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia, Iron-Deficiency Anemia, Thalassemia, Child, Preschool
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References
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