Frequency of Iron Deficiency Anemia and Thalassaemia among Anemic Sudanese Women of Reproductive Age (Khartoum state)

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).