Red Blood Cell Parameters Among Malnourished Children Under Five Years Attending Al-Sabeen Hospital, Sana’a, Yemen

Abstract

Malnutrition remains a major health issue in Yemen, particularly among children under five. It affects the hematopoietic system, leading to abnormal red blood cell parameters and anemia. This study aimed to assess RBC parameters and associated factors among malnourished children.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 264 malnourished children diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) or severe acute malnutrition (SAM). We analyzed blood samples for complete blood counts. Data were collected for statistical analysis.
Results: Among the children, 51.1% had MAM, and 48.9% had SAM. Anemia was found in 59.5% of the participants. Children with SAM had significantly lower hemoglobin levels, RBC count, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and higher red cell distribution width (RDW-CV) (p=0.001). Abnormal RBC parameters are associated with socioeconomic and maternal factors.
Conclusion: Hematological abnormalities and anemia were prevalent among malnourished children in Sana’a, underscoring the need for targeted interventions that address family income, maternal education, and maternal health.