Screening for anaemia in children’s of age group 6 months to 5 years using palmar pallor and digital hemoglobinometer by finger prick method

Background: Screening for anemia in children’s under five years of age using palmar pallor and Digital hemoglobinometer by finger prick method. Methodology: A total of 200 subjects were enrolledfrom outpatient department of ACS Medical College. Children of the age group 6 months to 5 years were considered in the study. Out of the total, 84 were boys and 116 were girls. Blood sampleswere collected from the subjects using a finger prick method and measured using Digital Haemoglobinometer. Data was collected and result was analysed using SPSS software. Results: Out of the 200 children examined, 91 (45%) were found to be no palmar pallor, 102 (51%) were some palmar pallor and 7 (4%) were severe anemia (severe palmar pallor),Whereas using Digital Haemoglobinometer, 64 (34%) no anemia (Hb ≥11 mg/dL), 115 (57%) children’s were found to beanemic (Hb <11 mg/dL) and 18 (9%) were severe anemiawith haemoglobin levels <7 mg/dL.The age of the children ranged from 6 months to 5 years with mean age of 3 years. Conclusion: Digital Hemoglobinometer (DH) can significantly reduce misdiagnosis of anaemia compared with clinical assessment alone.