Prevalence, risk factors, and effects of anemia on child growth and health in Lahore, Pakistan

Background: Anemia is a preventable medical condition that Pakistan has been facing for decades, particularly among children. It is a primary risk factor contributing to the disease burden in this population. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate anemia and its determinants in children at the Children’s Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Lahore. Blood samples were collected from children aged 1–11 years (n = 271) who visited the outpatient department and nutrition clinic of the hospital. Hemoglobin (Hb) levels were tested in the hospital’s pathology laboratory to determine the occurrence of anemia (defined as Hb levels <11.5 g/dL) and to categorize the severity of the condition as follows: mild anemia (11.0–11.4 g/dL), moderate anemia (7.0–10.99 g/dL), and severe anemia (<7.0 g/dL). Data on potential risk factors associated with anemia, as well as anthropometric measurements, were also collected. Results: The median Hb level was 10.1 g/dL (interquartile range: 8.6–11.4 g/dL) with levels ranging from 4.2 to 14.5 g/dL. A high proportion of children (66.8%, 181/271) were anemic, with severity classified as mild (54.1%, 98/181), moderate (32.6%, 59/181), and severe (13.3%, 24/181). The most prevalent type of anemia was microcytic (94.4%, 171/181), followed by normocytic (3.9%, 7/181) and macrocytic (1.7%, 3/181) cases. Additionally, malnutrition was observed in a significant number of children (51.7%, 140/271). In multivariable regression analysis, age was identified as a significant contributor to anemia. Children aged two years or younger had nearly three times the odds (2.97 times) of developing anemia compared to older age groups. Conclusion: The high prevalence of anemia and malnutrition compromises the quality of life for children, negatively affecting their long-term productivity, intellectual capacity, social interactions, and emotional well-being.