Severe iron deficiency anemia with critically low hemoglobin in a 2-year-old child: a case report

Background: Anemia in young children is a major public health problem worldwide. Around 1.6 million people have been diagnosed with anemia, and 47.4% are preschool children. Nutritional Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is the most common type of anemia in pediatrics. Several complications happen due to IDA during the first two years of life, such as reducing cognitive development, lowering immunity, and delaying growth.
Case Report: A 2-year-old girl was brought to the Emergency Room complaining of fever (39°C) associated with skin pallor for 2 months. A complete blood count (CBC) laboratory test result showed a very critical low hemoglobin (IHb) 3.39 g/dL. She received a blood transfusion, as a life-saving treatment. She was diagnosed with IDA secondary to formula milk dependent. Her Hb reached 10.62 g/dL and she was discharged with iron supplementation for six months.
Conclusion: This case adds more to the literature by documenting critically low Hb levels with positive findings in physical examination, which are pansystolic murmur and palpable bounding pulse, indicating severe IDA.