FREQUENCY OF HELMINTHIASIS IN CHILDREN PRESENTING WITH HYPOCHROMIC MICROCYTIC ANEMIA

ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the frequency of helminthiasis in children presenting with hypochromic microcytic anemia.
Methods: This study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Study
design was cross sectional (descriptive) and the duration of the study was 6 months. The estimated sample size was
369, using 40% proportion of helminthiasis and 95% confidence interval with 5% margin of error. Moreover non probability
consecutive sampling technique was used for sample collection.
Results: 369 children between 2 and 15 years of age were included in the study. 33% of children were having iron
deficiency anemia, while 42% of the children were infested with at least one species of intestinal parasite. Hookworm
was the most common helminthic infection followed by A lumbricoides. 78.7% of children with iron-deficiency anemia
were positive for helminthic infestation, while in the non-anemic group, only 13% of the children were having intestinal
helminthiasis.
Conclusion: This study confirms the finding of other authors regarding the association of helminthic infestations with
iron deficiency anemia in children. For all the parasites seen in this study, their relationship with anaemia is significant.
Key Words: Helminthiasis, Hookworm, Children, Hypochromic microcytic anemia.