Iron-deficiency anaemia in children with congenital heart diseases at a teaching hospital in Ghana
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Date
2020-02-19
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Heliyon
Abstract
Background: Uncorrected congenital heart lesions in children keep them in a state of constant hypoxia with
compromised quality of life and reduced life expectancy. This requires early diagnosis and interventions including
prevention and treatment of the resultant anaemia. Unfortunately, congenital heart disease (CHD) often goes
unrecognized and thus untreated.
Objectives: We determined the occurrence of CHD in children below 15 years at the Komfo Anokye Teaching
Hospital (KATH), assessed the prevalence of relative iron deficiency anaemia in that cohort and the use of iron
supplementation in these patients.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, using a structured data collection tool, by retrospectively
reviewing patient records from December 2015 to January 2010. Data was also obtained prospectively from
January 2016 to March 2016.
Results: Eighty cases (44 females and 36 males) of CHD were encountered. Tetralogy of Fallot was the most
common (48.8%) CHD. Cases of cyanotic congenital heart disease were reported at autopsy. Of the 80 cases, 48
(72.7%) had signs of relative iron deficiency. Thirty (62.5%) of the 48 patients did not receive iron supplementation.
In 14 cases, full blood count was not determined and yet 10 patients received iron at sub-optimal doses
(<3 mg/kg/day) and one was given iron at 6 mg/kg/day.
Conclusion: CHD is a common phenomenon among newborns at KATH. Use of iron supplementation was suboptimal.
Compliance with guidelines on the use of iron as well as structures for early detection of CHD for
definitive interventions are advocated.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Health sciences, Cardiology, Cardiovascular system, Emergency medicine, Laboratory medicine, Congenital, Cyanotic, Hypoxia, Erythropoietin, Anaemia