Epidemiological study on children with deficiency anemia in a public hospital

Objective: to develop an epidemiological study of children with iron deficiency anemia in a Public Hospital in the city of Caruaru. Method: this is a descriptive exploratory study from quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 140 children aged 0-5 years, with a record of hospital from June 2009 to June 2010. Data collection occurred after the approval of the research project by the Ethics in Research (CEP) of the institution, protocol n. 072/10 following the Resolution 196/96. Results: the prevalence of anemia was higher in males (54,3%) and aged 0 to 6 months (33,6%). Among the risk factors the most significant were: artificial feeding (21%), pneumonia (24.8%) and diarrhea/gastroenteritis (17,9%). Most cases showed mild anemia (61,4%) and microcytosis (66,4%). One hundred children have not undergone any treatment for anemia. Conclusion: this study reinforces the importance of the service in primary care, since it is the gateway to the users and it must start from this initial information for health promotion and prevention of injuries. Descriptors: anemia; community health nursing, public health.