PREVALENCE OF MEGALOBLASTIC ANAEMIA IN A PAEDIATRIC UNIT

Background: Megaloblastic anaemia is common in paediatric population of developing countries. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of megaloblastic anaemia in Paediatric Unit of District Headquarter Teaching Hospital, Dera Ismail Khan. Material & Methods: A retrospective analysis of forty bone marrow aspirates was performed to find out the prevalence of megaloblastic anaemia in Paediatric unit of District Headquarter Teaching Hospital Dera Ismail Khan, from January 2007 to December 2008. Both male and female indoor patients up to 12 years of age were included in the study. Results: Blood count and peripheral smear findings revealed anaemia in 40(100%), leukopenia in 17 (42.5%) and thrombocytopenia in 36 (90%) patients. Bicytopenia was present in 18 (45%) and pancytopenia in 17 (42.5%) patients. Analysis of the bone marrow findings showed megaloblastic anaemia in 23 (57.5%), bone marrow hypoplasia /aplasia in 8(20%) and Leukaemia in 6 (15%) patients. So megaloblastic anaemia was the most prevalent finding in this study. Next was bone marrow hypoplasia /aplasia, followed by leukaemia. Conclusion: Megaloblastic anaemia is the most prevalent diagnosis and the major cause of bicytopenia and pancytopenia in the bone marrow aspirates performed in the Paediatric unit of District Headquarter Teaching Hospital District Dera Ismail Khan.