Hemoglobin level as a risk factor for lower respiratory tract infections
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Abstract
Objective
This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the role of hemoglobin level, as a risk factor for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in children (LRTI).
Methods
100 children who came to the outpatient department for LRTI were included in the study. Age and sex-matched 100 children, not having any respiratory illness, were taken as control. They were subjected to complete blood count (CBC) C-reactive protein estimation (CRP), Mantoux test, and X-ray chest. Peripheral smear, serum ferritin and serum iron binding capacity were done for all anemic children.
Results
Radiological evidence of pneumonia was present in 63 children (63%). Hyper inflated lungs were seen in 27 (27%). Mantoux was positive in 22 children (22%) of study group and none among control group. CRP>6mg/L was noted in 45 children (45%) of study group and 14 (14%) of control group. Seventy four of study group (74%) and 33 of control group (33%) had anemia. Of the anemic children, 60 (60%) had iron deficiency, 10 (10%) chronic inflammation and 4 (4%) had hemolytic anemia. These values were 30(30%), 2(2%) and 1(1%) respectively for control group. Low hemoglobin level due to whatever etiology, was a risk factor (p=0.000).
Conclusion
Anemic children were 5.75 times more susceptible to LRTI compared to the control group. Prevention of anemia, due to whatever etiology, will reduce the incidence of LRTI.
Key words
Lower respiratory tract infection Hemoglobin levelPreview
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