Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics (Sep 2023)
Anemia and Associated Risk Factors in Pediatric Patients
Abstract
Valerie Martinez-Torres,1,2 Nicole Torres,1,3 Joanna A Davis,2,4 Fernando F Corrales-Medina1,2,4 1Holtz Children’s Hospital – Jackson Memorial Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA; 2Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami – Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; 3Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami – Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; 4University of Miami – Hemophilia Treatment Center, Miami, FL, USACorrespondence: Fernando F Corrales-Medina, University of Miami-Miller School of Medicine-Department of Pediatrics, 1601 NW 12th Avenue, Room 5012, Miami, FL, 33136, USA, Tel +1 305-243-8652, Fax +1 305-243-0842, Email [email protected]: Anemia is the most common hematologic abnormality identified in children and represents a major global health problem. A delay in diagnosis and treatment might place patients with anemia at risk for the development of rare but serious complications, including chronic and irreversible cognitive impairment. Identified risk factors contributing to the development of anemia in children include the presence of nutritional deficiencies, environmental factors, chronic comorbidities, and congenital disorders of hemoglobin or red blood cells. Pediatricians, especially those in the primary care setting, serve a particularly critical role in the identification and care of those children affected by anemia. Prompt recognition of these risk factors is crucial for developing appropriate and timely therapeutic interventions and prevention strategies.Keywords: anemia, children, iron deficiency anemia, anemia risk factors
