Hemoglobin level and iron profile as risk factors for lower respiratory tract infections among children

Context Acute lower respiratory tract infection is a major cause of death under 5 years of age, and anemia is the commonest cofactor in pediatric patients seeking medical advice, especially in developing countries. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of anemia as a risk factor for lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children. Setting and design A case–control study was conducted in Children’s Hospital, Ain Shams University. Patients and methods This study was conducted on a total of 80 infants and children aged 6 months to 6 years − 40 cases hospitalized for lower respiratory tract infections, with a mean age of 13.2±9.3 months, and 40 age and sex-matched healthy controls without any respiratory problems, with a mean age of 14.8±10.09 months. Results There was a statistically higher percentage of iron deficiency anemia among cases (55%) than among controls (27.5%), with a significantly lower mean hemoglobin level among anemic cases than among anemic controls. There was a significantly lower mean serum iron in anemic cases than in anemic controls. Recurrent chest infection was statistically significantly more common in anemic cases (93%) than in nonanemic cases (8%). Conclusion The present work concluded that anemia, especially iron deficiency anemia, may play a role in the development of acute lower respiratory tract infections among Egyptian children.