Frequency of Megaloblastic Anemia in School Children in Karrari Locality-Khartoum State

Abstract

This is a descriptive, and cross – sectional study was conducted to detect the frequency of megaloblastic anemia in male student in some of primary schools children in Karari locality, Khartoum state in the period between November 2008 to May 2009. One hundred samples were collected from male students with varying age between 6 to 18 years. The students were classified into three groups on the basis of age. Group one their age varying between 6 to 10 years, group two between 10 to 14 years, and group three, between 14 to 18 years . 2.5 ml of blood was collected from each student into EDTA test tube, and then analyzed for CBC by using of sysmex automated blood analyzer. Other 2.5 ml of blood was collected into plain tubes without anticoagulant. Serum was separated analyzed for serum folic acid by by centrifugation, and automated system(TOSO CORPORATION.AIA600ii). Blood films were prepared and studied for red cells morphology. The results showed the following. Group one The mean of hemoglobin was 12.0 g/dl, mean of PCV was 36.6%, mean of RBCs count was 4.8 X 1012/L, mean of MCV was 78.4 fl, mean of MCH was 25.8pg, mean of MCHC was 33.1%, mean of serum folic acid was 5.2 ng/ml. Group two: Mean of hemoglobin was 12.7 g/dl, mean of PCV was 38.9 % , mean of RBCs count was 4.7 × 10 12/L , mean of MCV was 82.7 f/l, mean of MCH was 26.6 pg mean of MCHC was 32.3% , mean of serum folic acid was 5.0 ng/ml. In group three: Mean of hemoglobin was 12.3 g/dl, mean of PCV was 36.8 %, mean of RBCs count was 4.4 × 1012/L, mean of MCV was 80.6 fl , mean of MCH was 27.6pg, mean of MCHC was 33.6 %, mean of serum folic acid was 4.4 ng/ml All sample showed no features of megaloblastic anemia this study concluded that megaloblastic anemia was not detected in male students of primary schools at karari locality.