Anemia of acute inflammation in children. J Pediatr 1983 Dec;103(6):868-71
Date
12/01/1983Pubmed ID
6644420DOI
10.1016/s0022-3476(83)80703-3Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0021068489 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 38 CitationsAbstract
We measured sequential changes in hemoglobin concentration and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in 27 previously healthy children hospitalized for a variety of moderately severe acute inflammatory processes. Among 18 retrospectively studied children, 61% had mild anemia for age on admission, and Hgb values dropped greater than 2 SD in 83% during active inflammation. During recovery, Hgb concentrations spontaneously rose greater than 1.3 gm/dl in 79% of the children. Mean Hgb drop was 1.8 gm/dl in 5.6 days, representing an average noniatrogenic blood loss of 107 ml, among nine prospectively studied children. Only one of these had laboratory evidence of hemolysis, and none had clinical evidence of bleeding or overhydration. Results of both studies combined showed that a mean 13% Hgb drop during active inflammation was followed by a mean 24% Hgb rise during resolution of acute inflammation. We conclude that most children with moderately severe acute inflammation experience a significant drop in Hgb within 1 week of illness onset, regardless of the specific cause of inflammation. In general, this mild to moderate anemia resolves without hematinic therapy.
Author List
Abshire TC, Reeves JDMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Acute DiseaseAdolescent
Anemia
Blood Sedimentation
Child
Child, Preschool
Hemoglobins
Humans
Infant
Inflammation
Prospective Studies
Retrospective Studies
