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Scientific Foundation SPIROSKI, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2022 Apr 07; 10(B):826-831.
https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.9311
eISSN: 1857-9655
Category: B - Clinical Sciences
Section: Pediatrics
A Cross-sectional Study of Iron Deficiency Anemia and
Hemoglobinopathy Carriers among School Children in Two
Different Cities in KSA
Mahmoud M. Zahran1, Anas M. Elshreif1, Ehab Abou-Eladab2,3, Ashraf Abdelkader Altawel1,4*
1Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; 2Faculty of Specific Education, Damietta
University, New Damietta City, Egypt; 3Vision College for Dentistry and Nursing, Basic Science Department, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia;
4Scientific Research and Continuous Medical Education Unit, Al Ansari Specialist Hospital, Yanbu, KSA
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common cause of anemia in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Thalassemia and sickle cell disease are major concerns in several nations, including KSA.
AIM: This study sought to investigate the prevalence of IDA, sickle cell trait (SCT), and B thalassemia trait (BTT)
among school children in Al-Khobar and Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
METHODS: A multistage random sample of 570 school children aged 12–18 years from both cities were educated
about these illnesses and tested for CBC, serum iron, TIBC, reticulocytosis, and sickling. In some circumstances,
hemoglobin electrophoresis and HPLC were used.
RESULTS: Overall, 13% of people had IDA, 3.2% had SCT, and 2.5% had BTT. The hematological parameters of
students with IDA and BTT differed significantly from those of normal students in each city, but not between normal
students and those with SCT. There were no significant differences between the sexes for all blood parameters
except iron and TIBC.
CONCLUSION: Strengthening public health education, dietary initiatives, and school-based hemoglobinopathy
carrier screening is proposed to help detect anemia early.
