DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2023.v11i05.011

Pages: 873-878

Introduction: In the Arab Gulf countries, anemia, including iron deficiency anemia )IDA(, considered one of the main public health problems. Although, the World Health Organization reported that IDA as the most common type of anemia, which made up half of all anemic cases all over the world, there were limited research performed among preschool children about anemia in Saudi Arabia. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of previously undiagnosed anemia and IDA among children between 2 to 6 years old. In this study, several risk factors that might contribute to the high prevalence of anemia were assessed. Methods: The study was carried out in Taif city during the period from January 2023 to April 2023. Blood samples were collected from 200 preschool children and analyzed for hematological parameters as well as related biochemistry tests to investigate the prevalence of previously undiagnosed anemia and IDA. Results: The majority of the study participants were Saudi 99% and aged 4 to 6 years 72.5%. Most of children participants, 92.5% had normal haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and normal levels of red blood cells (RBCs) and normal hematocrit indicating their non-anemia health status. In this study, previously undiagnosed anemia were reported within 6% of children indicated by low Hb concentration, low RBC count and abnormal low hematocrit level. Out of these undiagnosed anemic children, there were 25% diagnosed with IDA. Conclusions: Since, anemia and IDA are still a public health problem among preschool children in Saudi Arabia this study suggested that the hematological blood examination should be done to students as a requirement before school which may reveal the presence of previously undiagnosed anemia and might associated with low mantle and functional performance among children. Moreover, further studies are recommended at all regions of the Kingdome to investigate the underlying related risk factors, which will provide more insight ....