Evaluation of anemia in children with down syndrome

BacKGroUNd: anemia is one of the most common and important health problems in childhood. in children with a high neurodevelopmental risk, such as in the case of down Syndrome (dS), the negative effects of anemia (especially iron deficiency) may have a higher incidence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of anemia in children with dS who applied to our hospital. MethodS: the study retrospectively examined the records of 85 children with dS who were admitted to a pediatric outpatient clinic between January 2018 and december 2020. children without co-morbidities between the ages of 6 months and 18 years were included in the study. complete blood counts of the patients were retrospectively examined, and the incidence of anemia was determined according to age and sex. hemoglobin concentration less than 2 Sd for the norm age was defined as anemia. reSUltS: the mean age of the children was 71.3±50.9 months (range: 10-207); furthermore, 48.2% (N.=41) were female and 51.8% (N.=44) were male. anemia was detected in 22.4% (N.=19) of the cases, while anemia was not detected in 77.6% (N.=66). the mean age of children with anemia was 51.5±42.7 years (10 months-144 months). there was no significant difference between those with and without anemia in terms of age and sex. Anemia was found to be more common in the 6-month-2 age group (36%). coNclUSioNS: in this study, it was seen that most children with anemia had dea. anemia must be promptly diagnosed, especially in 6-month/2-year-old children, in a period in which neuromotor development largely occurs. in conclusion, children with dS who are admitted to the hospital for any reason should be evaluated for anemia and treated early, especially if they have iron deficiency anemia, and all children under 1 year of age should be given iron prophylaxis. © 2023 edizioNi MiNerVa Medica.