Pediatric anemia – Profile in the Indian subcontinent

Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells, and consequently, their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet the body's physiologic needs. The mean hemoglobin level at the time of delivery in full-term normal infants is 16.5 ± 3 gm% in cord blood. After rising in the first 24 h, it then starts falling progressively to reach a nadir of 12.0 ± 1 gm% by 1 year of age. Anemia is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in under-five children, as high incidence has been noted among them. Early screening, diagnosis, and interventions are helpful to prevent the consequences associated with it. Nutritional anemia was diagnosed as the most common cause of anemia in the Indian subcontinent. It is common in infancy and in female children. Malnutrition and splenomegaly were common signs in anemic children. There are wide variations in etiology and clinical features in hospitalized children depending on various factors.