Factors Associated with Anemia Found in Screening Program of 9-month-old Infants

Abstract

     The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended anemia screening in infants aged 9- 12 months. The anemia screening program has been adopted at Phichit hospital since 2012, however, no data analysis has been done.  It is therefore the objective of this study to determine the factors associated with anemia of 9-months infants in well baby clinic, Phichit hospital.

     A descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted by retrospective chart review of 191 healthy 9-month-old infants screened for anemia at well baby clinic in Phichit hospital between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013. All infants with available hematocrit results were included. Infants diagnosed thalassemia and incomplete medical records were excluded. Factors such as sex, gestational age at birth, birth weight, neonatal jaundice, duration of exclusive breastfeeding, nutritional status. Maternal thalassemia/hemoglobinopathy, antenatal maternal anemic status, maternal iron supplementation and maternal age were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Risk factors of anemia were presented as odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence interval (95% CI).

    Results showed that of 162 infants included, 51 infants had anemia (31.48%). No factors found significantly associated with anemia in the infants screened at well baby clinic.

Keyword:  anemia screening, anemia in infants, risk factors