Hemoglobin level as a risk factor for lower respiratory tract infections

Objective This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the role of hemoglobin level, as a risk factor for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in children (LRTI). Methods 100 children who came to the outpatient department for LRTI were included in the study. Age and sex-matched 100 children, not having any respiratory illness, were taken as control. They were subjected to complete blood count (CBC) C-reactive protein estimation (CRP), Mantoux test, and X-ray chest. Peripheral smear, serum ferritin and serum iron binding capacity were done for all anemic children. Results Radiological evidence of pneumonia was present in 63 children (63%). Hyper inflated lungs were seen in 27 (27%). Mantoux was positive in 22 children (22%) of study group and none among control group. CRP>6mg/L was noted in 45 children (45%) of study group and 14 (14%) of control group. Seventy four of study group (74%) and 33 of control group (33%) had anemia. Of the anemic children, 60 (60%) had iron deficiency, 10 (10%) chronic inflammation and 4 (4%) had hemolytic anemia. These values were 30(30%), 2(2%) and 1(1%) respectively for control group. Low hemoglobin level due to whatever etiology, was a risk factor (p=0.000). Conclusion Anemic children were 5.75 times more susceptible to LRTI compared to the control group. Prevention of anemia, due to whatever etiology, will reduce the incidence of LRTI.