A Cross Sectional Study on Morphological Pattern of Anemia

Background:Anemia is a global health problem of immense health significance, affecting persons of all ages and economic groups. Anemia is functionally defined as an insufficient RBC mass to adequately deliver oxygen to peripheral tissue. Developing countries like India; it is more common in pregnant women and in adolescent girls.Objectives:The present study was to emphasize various morphological patterns of anemia and its prevalence in various age groups. Materials and methods: This was a cross sectional study on 920 complete blood pictures (CBPs), over a period of 2 years from 2010 to 2012 at department of pathology,S.V.R.R.G.G.H &Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati, a tertiary health care center. The results wereanalyzed andinterpreted statically. Results:Of the total 920 hemograms that were studied, 685 were anemic with prevalence of 74.5%. Females were 419 (61.2%) and Males were 266 (38.8%), was showing Female preponderancewith Male Female ratio 1:1.6. Most common age group in females was 21-30 years and in males was 51-60 years. Commonest pattern of anemia was observed Microcytic Hypochromicfollowed by Dimorphic and Macrocytic anemia respectively. Conclusions:The introduction of automated cell counters has initiated a rethink on the conventional classification of routinely encountered conditions such as anemia. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common anemia with microcytic hypochromic picture. It occurs in all age groups especially in woman in the reproductive age group.Diagnosing anemia and knowing its pattern is important since it help in directing further investigation, identifying the etiology and most importantly helps in treatment.