Abstract:
A hospital-based analytical descriptive case control study was conducted in
Khartoum state hospitals from November 2007 to October 2010 to determine the
frequency of iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia among anemic Sudanese
women of reproductive age.
The study revealed that means of hemoglobin, hematocrit and RBC count were
statistically significant lower than means of control group (P value <0.05).. The
findings confirmed that all enrolled women were anemic.
The study shows that the frequency of the iron deficiency anemia was (24.8%),
thalassemia was (2.5 %), normocytic and normochromic type of anemia was
(46.2%), other types of hypochromic anemias was (17.5%). On the other hand,
normocytic normochromic anemia with feature of Hb AS was found to be (2.5%),
sickle cell anemia was (0.5%), microcytic hypochromic anemia with Hb AS was
(0.5%). Anemia associated with chronic disease was (5.5%).
Iron profile in women of iron deficiency anemia group the means of serum iron,
serum ferritin and transferrin saturation were significantly lower, with statistically
significant higher total iron binding capacity in comparison with means obtained
in control group (P.Value <0.05).
However, in women with anemia of chronic disease iron profile revealed
significant lower means of serum iron and transferrin saturation, and non
significant differences in means of total iron binding capacity and serum ferritin in
comparison to control group (P.Value > 0.05), that well defined anemia of chronic
disease.
The study explained higher frequency of iron deficiency anemia in women at
premarital age with heavy menstruation (13%), than of normal menstruation
(9.5%). IDA is the most common occurring among rapid multipara pregnant
women (18%), than in normal child spacing pregnant women (9%).
Hemoglobin electrophoresis related to types of anemia showed that among iron
deficiency anemia group the frequency of normal Hb A pattern was (23.8%) and
Hb AS pattern was (1%) , in group of anemia of chronic disease only normal
pattern of Hb A was found (5.5%). In thalassemic carrier group significant higher
mean levels of Hb A2, and Hb F were counted, and lower level of Hb A in
comparison with control group (P Value <0.05). In homozygous sicklers non
significant differences of Hb A2 in comparison with control group (P. value >
0.05), while Hb F and Hb S show significant elevation respectively in
comparison with control group (P Value <0.05).
