Anemia is lack of blood in the body. In our body, hemoglobin is an element that indicates the amount of blood in the body. Its quantity should be between 12 to 16 percent in men and between 11 and 14 in women.
Anemia is the reduction in RBC mass, and HB concentration of the blood below the values considered normal for age which is leading to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.
This is a severe health problem, but now we see the relation between Covid and Anemia.
Table of Contents
Anemia and covid
Anemia is an objective risk factor associated with the severe illness of COVID‐19.
Covid‐19 patients with anemia show severe inflammation response, which is positively connected with the severity of anemia.
Covid‐19 patients with anemia are older and exhibit severe organ injuries, including poor lung function, more myocardial critical injury, and renal dysfunction.
Anemia and oxygen levels
The patient who has anemia in these oxygen delivery decreases and oxygen extraction is increased. This leads to decreased venous hemoglobin and lower tissue oxygen saturation. The proportion of tissue deoxygenation during ischemia is dependent on oxygen consumption and the amount of oxygen available in the tissue.
Anemia
Anemia is a common blood disorder in infants and children, especially of the weak socioeconomic group.
Blood contains hemoglobin responsible for the constant supply of oxygen to the cells in the body.
Hemoglobin is the iron-containing pigment called “heme,” which imparts red color to the blood and a protein called “globin,” which made up of polypeptide chains.
Normal Values Of HB In Children
According to WHO
- 6 month-6 year : 11gm/dl
- 6 year-14 year : 12gm/dl
- Above 14 year: Male – 13gm/dl
- Female-12gm/dl
WHO Grading of Anemia
- HB level between 10gm/dl and cut off point – Mild Anemia
- HB level between 7gm/dl to 10gm/dl – Moderate Anemia
- HB level below 7gm/dl – Severe Anemia
Clinical Grading of Anemia
- Pallor observed in conjunctiva and mucus membrane only – Mild Anemia
- Pallor found in skin – Moderate Anemia
- Pallor found in palmar creases along with leather and mucus membrane – Severe Anemia
Main causes of anemia
- Impaired RBC production due to deficiency of hemopoietic factors
- Increased destruction of RBC
Due to intrinsic factors
- Abnormal Hb synthesis
- Enzymatic defects
- Abnormality in RBC structure
Due to extrinsic factors
- Infections – malaria
- Drugs – primaquine
- Poisoning – lead
- Burns
Increased blood loss
- Trauma
- Hemorrhagic disease
- Piles
- Dysentery
Decreased RBC production
- Hypoplasia
- Leukemia
- Nephritis
- liver disease
Iron pills help the body absorb iron while also helping to maintain healthy immune system functions and help keep the nerve and blood cells healthy; bellowed recommended iron pills are the best source of iron. BUY NOW 👇
Garden of Life Vitamin Code
Best Iron Supplements
- 28 mg whole food non binding iron
- Support for increased energy
- Offer anemia support
Best Price
Classification of anemia
According to the morphological classification, Anemia divided into three groups
Microcytic – MCV <80fL
- Iron Deficiency Anemia
- Thalassemia
Normocytic – MCV 80-100 fL
- Hemolytic – Hereditary Spherocytosis
- G6PD Deficiency
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Non – Hemolytic – Aplastic Anemia
Macrocytic – MCV >100 fL
- Megaloblastic Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia shared among the children. 60-80%of children are suffering from this condition.
The anemia that occurs due to deficiency of iron in the body referred to as Iron Deficiency Anemia.
Causes of iron deficiency anemia
- Inadequate iron during
- Intra-natal period
- Poverty
- Ignorance about child care
- Prematurity
- Insufficient iron in diet due to prolonged breastfeeding
- Delayed weaning
Clinical Manifestation of iron deficiency anemia
The pallor of skin, conjunctiva, and mucus membrane
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Anorexia
- Failure to thrive
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nails become thin, brittle and flat
- Pica and atrophy of tongue papillae
- In older children, the spleen may enlarge
Diagnostic evaluation of iron deficiency anemia
- Dietary history
- CBC examination shows,
- RBC count
- HB level
- PCV, MCH, MCV – low
- Serum iron – low
- Serum ferritin – low
Management of iron deficiency anemia
- Improvement in dietary intake, especially iron.
- Iron therapy by oral or parenteral route. Oral iron intake is given with elemental iron dose 3-6mg/kg/day in divided doses between meals
Iron therapy include,
- Ferrous sulfate
- Ferrous gluconate
- Ferrous fumarate
- In cases of severe anemia, blood transfusion has given
- Provide other symptomatic treatment.
- Give awareness about iron deficiency anemia.
Prevention of iron deficiency anemia
- Adequate antenatal care for prevention of maternal anemia
- Iron – folic acid supplementation
- Introduction of semisolid and solid foods from 6 months of age
- Immunization
- Improvement in living conditions
- Balanced diet
- Hygiene
Complication of iron deficiency anemia
- CCF
- Recurrent infections
- Malabsorption syndrome
- Growth retardation
- Mental sub normality
Thalassemia
It is a group of hereditary hemolytic anemia characterized by a reduction in the synthesis of Hb
Classification of thalassemia
Thalassemia Major
- It is a severe form of illness and associated with the homozygous state.
- In this condition, the beta genes inherited from both parents and the beta chain’s synthesis markedly reduce.
Thalassemia Intermedia
- It is a state of chronic hemolytic anemia caused by alpha or beta chain deficiency
Thalassemia Minor
- It is a mild form of illness produced by heterozygosity of either alpha or beta chain.
Clinical manifestations of thalassemia
- Pallor
- Jaundice
- Respiratory infections
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Growth failure
- Poor feeding
Diagnosis of thalassemia
- Blood examination
- Bone marrow examination
Complication of thalassemia
- CCF
- Gall stones
- Delayed puberty
- Growth retardation
- MODS
Hemolytic crisis
The sudden and severe hemolytic condition occurs when more amount of RBCs are destroyed.
Clinical manifestation of hemolytic crisis
- Progressive anemia
- Mild jaundice
- Fever
- Headache
- Growth retardation
- Enlarged heart
Diagnosis of hemolytic crisis
- Peripheral blood smear
- Electrophoresis
- Chorionic villus sampling
Management of hemolytic crisis
- Blood transfusion
- Parenteral fluid therapy
- Treat the infections
- Analgesics
- Blood transfusion
- Parenteral fluid therapy
- Treat the infections
- Analgesics
G6PD deficiency anemia
It is an inherited disorder that transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait.
The enzyme G6PD is responsible for maintaining the integrity of RBCs.
The absence of this enzyme is deficient in the body; it causes this type of anemia.
Clinical manifestations of g6pd deficiency anemia
Some children do not have any signs and symptoms until they are exposed to certain drugs like,
- Antimalarial
- Antipyretics
- Sulphonamides
- If the child is exposed to jaundice, hemolytic anemia, hepatomegaly, and interferes with growth.
Management
- Avoidance of mentioned drugs,
- Antimalarial
- Antipyretics
- Sulphonamides
Aplastic anemia
It is a deficiency of all types of blood cells due to abnormal bone marrow development.
It can be congenital, such as Fanconi anemia, Diamond – Blackfann syndrome, and TAR syndrome.
Causes of aplastic anemia
- Virus – HIV
- Bacteria
- Exposure to radiations
- Chemicals – DDT
- Drugs – antimetabolites
Clinical manifestation of aplastic anemia
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Ecchymosis
- Bleeding
- Hematuria
- Recurrent infections
Diagnosis of aplastic anemia
- Blood examination
- Bone marrow study
Management of aplastic anemia
- Bone marrow transplantation
- Immunotherapy
- Children with mild to moderate anemia treated with androgens for 3-5 months.
Megaloblastic Anemia
The common cause of this anemia is a deficiency of folic acid or vitamin B12 or both.
Folic acid deficiency
It always found along with vitamin C deficiency and iron deficiency.
Causes of folic acid deficiency
- Use of goat milk for infant feeding
- Diarrheal disease
- Malabsorption syndrome
- Prematurity
- Drug therapy with anticonvulsant and anti-folic acid agent
Vitamin b12 deficiency
- It may develop due to dietary inadequacy, lack of intrinsic factor in the stomach,
- Malabsorption and infants of B12 deficient mothers
Clinical manifestations of vitamin b12 deficiency
- Paresthesia of hands and feet
- Loss of vibratory sensation
- Absent tendon reflexes
Diagnosis of vitamin b12 deficiency
- Serum vitamin B 12
- Bone marrow study
Management of vitamin b12 deficiency
- Provide folic acid and vitamin B12 in the oral or parenteral route.
- Provide treatment of Various causative factors.
- Dietary improvement is essential. The blockage of the capillaries causes infarction of various tissues and organs.
Treatment of anemia
Repeated blood transfusions: It is given at regular intervals to maintain hb levels.
Iron chelation therapy: iron chelating agent deferral recommended preventing complications.
Splenectomy: It indicated when the child needs a frequent blood transfusion and develop hypersplenism.
Folic acid supplement: It recommended preventing more iron deposition.
Immunization: Supportive management to treat the complication
Bone marrow transplantation: It is useful to treat thalassemia. Defective stem cells replace by the with healthy stem cells
Gene therapy
Suggested articles:
Still have any questions about anemia and covid? Ask in the comments section!
Do share this post with others who wanted to learn about health solutions in depth.
Sharing is caring ❤
Pingback: เว็บคาสิโนออนไลน์
Pingback: calm music
Pingback: deep sleep
Pingback: aksara178
Pingback: spin238